Department for Transport

Leeds-Bradford Airport

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what changes he is making to the national airspace strategy which will result in Leeds Bradford Airport changing flight paths planes use after take-off.

Mr John Hayes: Leeds Bradford Airport is consulting on updating its existing departure flight paths to performance-based navigation (PBN) standards. PBN is a key component of the 2011 Civil Aviation Authority’s Future Airspace Strategy. Although the forthcoming update to the government’s airspace policy will not apply directly to the well advanced Leeds Bradford airspace change proposal, we expect the airport to follow any new requirements where practicable.

Roads: Suicide

Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 7 July 2016 to Question 42206 on roads: suicide, how many suicides or attempted suicides were recorded on the strategic road network from 1 July to 31 December 2016.

Jesse Norman: Highways England have confirmed that between 1 July 2016 and 3 September 2016, 267 incidents were recorded as suicides or attempted suicides on the strategic road network. Highways England are currently moving to a new incident management system and are only able to provide data up to 3 September 2016 at this time. The complete figures will be validated as soon as possible.

Department for Transport: Procurement

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many companies supplying goods and services to his Department, or contracted to deliver services on behalf of his Department, have been identified as avoiding their tax liabilities in the UK.

Mr John Hayes: The information requested is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. We do however expect all companies to behave in a correct and proper manner with regards to paying tax in the UK.

Transport: Finance

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much funding his Department has allocated to transport in each NUTS 1 region in England and Wales in each of the next five years.

Paul Maynard: The Department does not have an assessment of how much funding has been allocated to each NUTS1 region in England and Wales in each of the next five years.

High Speed 2 Railway Line: Leigh

Jo Platt: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to allocate Northern and Midland High Speed 2 infrastructure funding to connect Leigh with High Speed 2.

Jo Platt: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment on the (a) feasibility and (b) cost of a direct rail line between Leigh and HS2.

Jo Platt: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the rail journey times between Leigh and HS2 stations in (a) Wigan, (b) Manchester Airport and (c) Manchester Piccadilly.

Jo Platt: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of the rail journey times between Leigh and HS2 stations in (a) Wigan, (b) Manchester Airport and (c) Manchester Piccadilly.

Paul Maynard: Leigh’s closest HS2 station, Wigan North Western, will be served by HS2 trains following completion of HS2 Phase One in 2026, and by 2033 will be served by HS2 trains from London, Birmingham, Preston and Scotland. The department has made no assessment of the costs of a direct rail line or rail journey times between Leigh and HS2. The government has provided Greater Manchester Combined Authority with £2.5m to develop HS2 Growth Strategies, which include plans for improving connectivity across Greater Manchester to the planned HS2 stations. Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Transport for Greater Manchester are advancing their wider plans for connectivity across the city region through their Greater Manchester 2040 Transport Strategy. The government has committed £300m to future-proof HS2 to support Transport for the North’s ambition for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) between the North’s largest cities. Transport for the North are currently developing the business case for NPR, which includes investigating serving other significant economic centres.

Transport: North East

Mr Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much was spent on improving (a) road networks and (b) other transport infrastructure in (i) Jarrow constituency, (ii) South Tyneside and (iii) the North East in each of the last five years.

Jesse Norman: Figures on public sector spend at a regional and national level are part of the Government’s Country and Regional Analysis (CRA) statistics. These statistics attempt to allocate the spending according to where the benefits of that spend are accrued. Inevitably however allocations are not always precise. Statistics for total public expenditure for the North East of England are given for roads and other transport in table 1 below. Table 2 provides the equivalent statistics for public capital expenditure, which could be considered a better proxy for spending on improvements specifically. It should be noted however that the Department’s focus is on delivering outcomes for people rather than how much is spent. Investment decisions are made based on a rigorous and fair appraisal process that ensures spending goes to the projects and programmes where it is most needed and will have the most benefit. Table 1.Total public sector expenditure on transport: North East, from 2011-12   £millions 2011-122012-132013-142014-152015-16Roads1,2316.8246.7278.1349.3396.6Other transport2262.4279.4276.0267.2387.1  1. Includes expenditure on locally managed roads as well as national trunk roads. 2. Includes spend on transport by all public sector organisations (including Local Authorities and Public Corporations)  Table 2.Public sector capital expenditure on transport : North East, from 2011-12   £millions 2011-122012-132013-142014-152015-16Roads1,2178.4120.1164.4244.5281.2Other transport2157.3169.1163.5171.5197.8  1. Includes expenditure on locally managed roads as well as national trunk roads. 2. Includes spend on transport by all public sector organisations (including Local Authorities and Public Corporations)  This information is available for government office regions only, and therefore is unavailable for (i) Jarrow constituency and (ii) South Tyneside. There is also an element of private investment into transport that is not captured by the CRA statistics. Information on private investment is not held by the Department.

Aviation

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many officials employed in his Department on 19 October 2017 have experience of bilateral aviation negotiations and agreements.

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many officials employed in his Department on 19 October 2017 have started negotiations with (a) other EU member states and (b) third countries on aviation agreements.

Mr John Hayes: My Department has many years’ worth of experience and is well prepared for aviation negotiations and concluding agreements. Negotiating teams draw on wide policy and technical expertise, backed by legal advisors, as well as potential contributions from other relevant organisations such as the CAA, and often in close collaboration with industry experts from airlines and airports.We have discussed and are actively working on all relevant aviation agreements with relevant countries, to ensure that we have the necessary successor arrangements in place to so that there will be no interruption in flights when we exit the EU.

Railways: Scotland

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he had discussions with the (a) Chancellor of the Exchequer, (b) Scottish Government and (c) Office for Road and Rail on the methodology for deciding Scotland's rail funding settlement prior to the funding announcement of 12 October 2017.

Paul Maynard: The methodology for deciding Scotland’s rail funding settlement is a matter for the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Scottish Government, reflecting the devolved nature of the rail funding settlement. While the Secretary of State for Transport has various discussions from time to time with the Scottish Government, the specific issue of rail funding methodology has not been covered during this period.

Kobe Steel Europe

Andy McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of how much falsified Kobe copper is in the UK in (a) cars, (b) trains and (c) aeroplanes.

Mr John Hayes: The Department has yet to make an assessment on how much falsified Kobe copper is in the UK in (a) cars, (b) trains and (c) aeroplanes.

Lakes Railway Line: Electrification

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to invest in station upgrades on the lakes line from Oxenholme to Windermere in light of the cancellation of plans to electrify that line.

Paul Maynard: We are investing over £40bn in our network in the current investment period (CP5: 2014-2019) as part of the biggest rail modernisation programme for over a century to provide faster journeys and more comfortable trains. On 12th October the Transport Secretary announced continued record levels of investment in the railways, with around £48bn to be spent between 2019-2024 (the next investment period: CP6). Through our investment in the railway, passengers in the Lake District will benefit from four direct services a day in each direction between Windermere and Manchester Airport from May 2018. From 2019, there will be brand new trains with more seats and better on-board facilities. In addition, Northern, the train operator, is looking at a number of technologies to improve journeys for passengers on this route and to protect the environment in this World Heritage Site.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Private Rented Housing: Evictions

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what protections exist for (a) vulnerable tenants and (b) people in receipt of housing benefit from eviction by landlords.

Alok Sharma: The circumstances in which a landlord may obtain possession of a property are governed by various legislative provisions including in the Housing Act 1988, the Housing Act 1985, the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 and the Deregulation Act 2015. Under this legislation, vulnerable tenants and people in receipt of housing benefit have the same protections as other tenants, including against retaliatory eviction.A landlord also cannot evict a tenant using a Section 21 notice where the landlord has not complied with certain legal obligations. This includes protecting their tenants’ deposit in a Tenancy Deposit Protection scheme, providing Gas Safety Certificates, and also providing a copy of the Government’s ‘How to Rent’ guide.

Property Development: Floods

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many homes have been granted planning permission for building on flood plains in each of the last five years.

Alok Sharma: The Department does not collect the requested information.Development cannot be ruled out in high flood risk areas as around 10 per cent of England, including large parts of major cities, such as Hull, Portsmouth and central London are located in these areas, before taking account of the presence of flood defences. All local planning authorities are expected to follow the strict tests set out in national planning policy and guidance, which includes steering development away from high flood risk areas. Where development in flood risk areas is considered, national planning policy is clear that it should be safe, resilient and not increase flood risk elsewhere. We have been clear that new housing should not be permitted in functional floodplains, where water has to flow or be stored in times of flood.

Owner Occupation

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of trends in the number of people under the age of 30 who own their own home since 2015.

Alok Sharma: In 2015-16 (the latest date for which data are available), there were an estimated 1.3 million households in owner occupation with a household reference person (HRP) aged 16-34. (Source: English Housing Survey Mortgagors Report): https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/english-housing-survey-2015-to-2016-mortgagors

Private Rented Housing: Alarms

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many private sector landlords were fined for failing to comply with the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 in (a) 2016-17, (b) 2015-16 and (c) 2014-15.

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many private sector landlords were found not to meet the guidelines outlined in the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 in (a) 2016-17, (b) 2015-16 and (c) 2014-15.

Alok Sharma: The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations came into force on 1 October 2015. Local authorities are responsible for enforcement and the Department does not collect information on the number of penalties issued.

Tenancy Deposit Schemes

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to protect tenants' monies in tenancy deposit schemes.

Alok Sharma: The Tenancy Deposit Protection legislation introduced by the Housing Act 2004 requires that where a deposit is paid in connection with an assured shorthold tenancy it must be protected by the landlord or agent in one of the three government-authorised schemes.The Tenancy Deposit Schemes in England currently protect over 3.5 million deposits on behalf of tenants, helping to raise standards in the private rented sector and ensuring that tenants are treated fairly at the end of their tenancy.

Floods: Finance

Holly Lynch: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many and which local authorities his Department committed to fund as part of the recovery effort for the floods of winter 2015-16; and what proportion of that funding is yet to be paid to each such local authority.

Jake Berry: My department committed to fund all 50 eligible local authorities affected by the winter 2015 floods, mainly in the North of England. This includes three upper tier counties who administer grants on behalf of their districts. Out of the 47 authorities issuing grants to flooded householders and businesses under the Community and Business Recovery Scheme, 13 have now closed their recovery schemes. 34 are still disbursing grants to claimants. Any balancing payments due to these authorities will be made after final applications have been received.

Refugees: Children

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what funding his Department has allocated to local authorities to support child refugees.

Mr Marcus Jones: On 10 November last year my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government , along with the Home Secretary and the Minister for Vulnerable Children, wrote to local authorities to alert them to potential help regarding unaccompanied asylum seeking children from the Controlling Migration Fund. The Fund fulfils a manifesto commitment to help areas facing challenges linked to recent migration and is able to help with issues such as training for social workers who may be helping these young people.We wrote again on 28 March this year outlining a first stage payment of £2 million to authorities supporting those arriving. We will announce later this year further payments to areas which have bid for specific projects looking to boost sustainable capacity in local authorities caring for unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

Social Rented Housing: Business

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the number of requests for permission from social tenants to run a business from their home received by local authorities in the last three years.

Alok Sharma: The information requested is not held centrally.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Land: Ownership

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the extent of offshore ownership of UK land freeholds.

Margot James: In March 2016, HM Land Registry published, for free, information on registered land in England and Wales that was owned by overseas companies. Updates to this data set have been available at a charge and the datasets (both free and chargeable) are accessible at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hm-land-registry-overseas-companies-data.As part of the government’s housing white paper, Fixing our broken housing market, HM Land Registry committed to become the world’s leading land registry for speed, simplicity and an open approach to data. This will include releasing later this year, free of charge, the updated overseas company ownership data set.This open approach to data will better support development, ensure financial stability, collection of taxes, law enforcement and the protection of national security.

Energy

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to page 155 of his Department's Clean Growth Strategy, published on 12 October 2017, what the energy intensity level was of the UK economy measures by final energy demand of MWh of energy per million pounds of GDP in real 2016 prices in each of the last three years.

Claire Perry: Based on the BEIS Digest of UK Energy Statistics 2016, the Clean Growth Strategy (page 141) estimated that final energy demand in 2015 was 872 MWh of energy per million pounds of GDP. This compares to 877 MWh of energy per million pounds in 2014, and 956 MWh of energy per million pounds in 2013.

Manufacturing Industries: North East

Mr Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent steps he has taken to increase manufacturing job opportunities in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside and (c) the north east.

Margot James: Government is supporting jobs growth and economic development through the £379.6m North East Growth Deal, estimated by the Local Enterprise Partnership to create 8,000 jobs.This includes funding for the International Advanced Manufacturing Park – a 100-hectare site which will provide a world-class environment for high-tech industries and advanced manufacturing businesses. Sunderland Council estimates that it will bring £300 million of private sector investment into the region, and help support and grow the manufacturing sector in the North East.

Hinkley Point C Power Station

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department has performed any assessment of the effects of withdrawal from the EU and the decision to leave Euratom on the compensation clause in the Secretary of State Investment Agreement for Hinkley Point C.

Richard Harrington: We remain firmly committed to bringing forward the UK’s first new nuclear plants in a generation. The Hinkley Point C contracts make provision for compensation in certain defined circumstances. The details of when these apply are set out in the agreements. The consequences of the intended withdrawal from the Euratom treaty will be closely monitored and the department is in close consultation with the industry about its impacts. The Government will continue to support Euratom and to ensure that the UK continues to meet its international safeguards, and nuclear non-proliferation obligations and support its thriving nuclear industry.

Unified Patent Court (Immunities and Privileges) Order 2017

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the timetable is for the Unified Patent Court (Immunities and Privileges) Order 2017 to be laid before Parliament.

Joseph Johnson: The Unified Patent Court (Privileges and Immunities) Order 2017 was laid before Parliament on 26 June 2017. The next stage is for the Order to be scrutinised by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments; the membership of this Committee is still to be confirmed and timetable published. A separate Order on Privileges and Immunities for the Unified Patent Court was laid in Holyrood on 30 August 2017. It passed scrutiny on 19 September 2017. The Order will now pass to the Scottish Parliament for approval on 25 October 2017.

Office for Nuclear Regulation

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2017 to Question 108257, what estimate his Department has made of the funding that will be required for the Office for Nuclear Regulation to set up a domestic civil nuclear safeguards regime.

Richard Harrington: The Department will allocate to the Office for Nuclear Regulation the funding necessary to set up a domestic civil nuclear safeguards regime, which will deliver standards broadly equivalent to existing Euratom standards. This will include funding for a new IT system, recruitment and training of inspectors, and strengthening the institutional capacity of the Office for Nuclear Regulation.

Office for Nuclear Regulation

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2017 to Question 108256, when he plans to publish the impact assessment.

Richard Harrington: A full Impact Assessment will be published alongside a consultation on the Nuclear Safeguards Regulations (which underpin the Nuclear Safeguards Bill), in 2018.

National Union of Mineworkers: Northumberland

Ben Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Certification Officer's letter to the National Union of Mineworkers Northumberland Area of 12 October 2017, if he will place in the Library a copy of all the evidence submitted for the Certification Officer's consideration.

Margot James: The Certification Officer is not in a position to disclose documentation on current or past cases. Disclosure could prejudice further investigations or future cases.The Certification is an independent statutory office holder. The Certification Officer’s enquiries into the financial affairs of the National Union of Mineworkers (Northumberland Area) were undertaken to enable him to consider whether it was appropriate to use his powers under section 37B of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 to appoint an inspector to investigate those affairs in the light of allegations and information received.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Pakistan: Politics and Government

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when his Department last had discussions with the Government of Pakistan on space for civil society in Pakistan; what was on the agenda at that meeting; what the outcome of that meeting was; and when the next such meeting is planned to take place.

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will take steps at his Department's next meeting with the Government of Pakistan to ensure that the Government of Pakistan works to improve trust between NGOs and that Government and to improve consultation with NGOs on polices that affect their daily operations.

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will take steps at his Department's next meeting with the Government of Pakistan to emphasise the contribution of NGOs to countering violent extremism and promoting development and human rights.

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government plans to take to facilitate dialogue between the Government of Pakistan and NGOs in line with the concluding observations of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Universal Periodic Review of Pakistan.

Mark Field: The Government strongly supports the work of INGOs and NGOs in Pakistan. They are important development partners for the UK Government and reach an estimated 19 million of the poorest people in Pakistan. We have been concerned by some of the restrictions placed on NGOs, particularly INGOs, by the Government of Pakistan and others. We regularly raise the importance of maintaining the space for civil society and allowing organisations to continue their important development, humanitarian and human rights work as well as their work to counter the drivers of violent extremism, at senior levels within the Government of Pakistan. We continue to encourage the Government of Pakistan to engage NGOs on policies that affect them.A review by UN Human Rights Council of Pakistan's implementation of the international Covenant on Civil and Political Rights held in July this year noted its concern about the Government of Pakistan's regulations of INGOs. The UK intends to raise freedom of expression as an issue of concern during Pakistan's Universal Periodic Review in November.I intend to visit the country by the end of the year and shall address these issues.

West Bank: Sanitation

Rebecca Long Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department has made recent representations to the Government of Israel on the adequacy of the water supply and sanitation infrastructure in the West Bank.

Alistair Burt: The UK regularly raises concerns over access to water in the Occupied Palestinian Territories with the Israeli authorities, including stressing the urgent need for Israel to take immediate and practical measures to improve the current situation and ensure fair distribution of water in the West Bank. Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv and the Department for International Development discussed this issue with the Israeli authorities on 12 September. The Department for International Development discussed the issue of water at the Ad Hoc Liaison Comittee in New York on 17-18 September.

West Bank: Water

Rebecca Long Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with Israel and Palestinian officials on water permits in the (a) Jordan Valley area and (b) wider Palestinian West Bank.

Alistair Burt: The UK regularly raises concerns over access to water in the Occupied Palestinian Territories with the Israeli authorities, including stressing the urgent need for Israel to take immediate and practical measures to improve the current situation and ensure fair distribution of water in the West Bank. We have not raised this issue with the Palestinian Authority.

Guantanamo Bay: Detainees

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to his counterpart in the US to reconsider the alleged practice of officials not medically monitoring hunger striking in Guantanamo Bay detainees.

Sir Alan Duncan: It is the Government's understanding that US practice on medically monitoring hunger striking detainees in Guantanamo Bay has not changed. Detainees continue to be monitored carefully on medical grounds. On 17 October, a Pentagon Spokesperson said that the practice of permitting the involuntary feeding of hunger-striking detainees in Guantanamo Bay will continue, if US medical officials decide that artificial feeding is required to prevent death or serious self-harm.The Government believes that mentally competent adults are entitled to take decisions to hunger strike.

Guantanamo Bay

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in the US on the UK's support for the closure of the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.

Sir Alan Duncan: The US Government is well aware of our long-standing position that the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay should close. Her Majesty's Government has made this clear to successive US Administrations, including to the Trump Administration, and we will continue to do so.

Russia: Military Exercises

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Russian counterpart on the number of troops committed to the Zapad 17 military exercise.

Sir Alan Duncan: The Foreign Secretary has not had an opportunity to talk to Foreign Minister Lavrov about the Zapad military exercise. In advance of the exercise, the Russian Ministry of Defence briefed Defence Attaches, including from the British Embassy, that 12,700 troops would be involved.

Israel: Immigration Controls

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many UK citizens have been detained, interrogated and subsequently denied entry to Israel in the last 12 months.

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many people with dual Palestinian and British citizenship have been (a) refused entry to, (b) detained by and (c) deported from Israel in the last 12 months.

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many UK citizens have been deported by Israel for reasons related to pro-Palestinian activity after initially being granted entry to Israel in the last 12 months.

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many UK citizens have been (a) detained and (b) delayed when entering Israel in the last 12 months.

Alistair Burt: We do not hold such information. This would be for the Israeli authorities themselves to respond.

Israel: Palestinians

Rebecca Long Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to promote Israeli-Palestinian cooperation relating to the water sector.

Alistair Burt: ​We welcome the progress made towards the 'Red to Dead' water supply agreement between Israel and the Palestinians announced in July 2017. The fair and effective distribution of shared water resources across the Middle East is of great concern to us. These resources are limited and therefore require effective co-operation from all parties to manage them in such a manner that ensures there will be enough for all. Although this issue transcends the Arab-Israeli conflict, it is essential that Israel and the Palestinians discuss this issue and ensure that there is a just solution on shared water resources.

West Bank: Water

Rebecca Long Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to support improved access to portable, affordable and clean water for the domestic and livestock needs of the Bedouin communities in the Palestinian West Bank.

Alistair Burt: The UK regularly raises the issue of water in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) with the Israeli authorities to ensure fair distribution of water across the OPTs. The UK is a shareholder in a number of major international financial institutions, such as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Investment Bank, which support infrastructure projects across the OPTs.The Government also supports Bedouin communities facing demolition or eviction in Area C of the West Bank through our funding to the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) legal aid programme. This helps residents challenge decisions in the Israeli legal system. 97 per cent of cases provided with legal representation through NRC have resulted in suspension of demolitions and evictions, allowing Palestinians to remain in their homes.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Procurement

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many companies supplying goods and services to his Department, or contracted to deliver services on behalf of his Department, have been identified as avoiding their tax liabilities in the UK.

Sir Alan Duncan: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office incorporates Government Procurement Policy Note (PPN)​ 03/14 in its internal guidance. This PPN requires rigorous questioning to establish the tax compliance of suppliers for all procurement of £5m or more.

Tibet: Human Rights

Chris Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Chinese counterpart on repression in Tibet.

Mark Field: The UK continues to have concerns about human rights and freedoms in Tibet. We consistently urge the Chinese authorities to respect all fundamental rights across the People’s Republic of China, in line with both its own constitution and the international frameworks to which it is a party. We raised our concerns about Tibet at the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue held in Beijing on 27 June.​

Israel: Immigration Controls

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information his Department holds on the number of UK citizens who have been refused entry and deported by the Israeli Government as a direct result of amendment 27 of the Entry into Israel Law during the last 12 months.

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many UK citizens held in Israel's airport detention facilities have been provided with consular assistance by the UK embassy in Tel Aviv in the last 12 months.

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many UK citizens have complained of poor treatment by Israeli authorities at border crossings and entry points; and of those people how many have raised such issues with the (a) Government, (b) embassy in Tel Aviv and (c) consulates in Jerusalem and Ramallah in the last 12 months.

Alistair Burt: ​The British Embassy is aware of two British Nationals who were denied entry as a direct result of amendment 27 in the last 12 months.

Guantanamo Bay

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Foreign Secretary meets representatives of Guantanamo detainee, of 1 March 2012, whether it is the Government's policy that indefinite detention in Guantanamo Bay is wrong; and that the UK will continue to call for Guantanamo Bay to be closed.

Sir Alan Duncan: Her Majesty's Government (HMG) has stated repeatedly our long held view that indefinite detention without review or fair trial is unacceptable and this remains our position. HMG has long supported the closure of the US detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. We have made this clear to successive US Administrations, including to the Trump Administration, and we will continue to do so.

Ascension Island: Defence

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on UK strategy on Ascension Island.

Sir Alan Duncan: Ascension Island is important to the UK. It hosts UK and US military air bases and has a unique and valuable protected marine environment. The Minister for the Commonwealth and the UN, Lord Ahmad, is leading Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence and Department for International Development work to ensure the long-term sustainability of the island's operations.

Nigeria: Ethnic Groups

Ross Thomson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has received on the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum's threat to the Igbo population of Nigeria.

Rory Stewart: ​My department has received several letters from MP's and members of the public about threats made against the Igbo people in Nigeria.The Governors of the Northern States of Nigeria condemned these threats, as did Vice President Osinbajo, then Acting President, who also called for unity.We echo President Buhari's recent call for calm and reconciliation between the many ethnic groups and communities that make up and contribute to the strength and diversity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The British Government is concerned by violence in Nigeria but we do not assess that there is institutionalised persecution of the Igbo or any other peoples by the Nigerian authorities. We will continue to monitor the situation and work with Nigerian Government to help tackle threats to security and to address the underlying causes of instability.

Northern Ireland Office

Immigration Controls: Northern Ireland

Sir Vince Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on the Northern Ireland economy that would be caused by the introduction of passport or ID checks on entry for passengers travelling from Great Britain.

Chloe Smith: We have been very clear that we want to protect the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangements that have served these islands well for nearly 100 years. We are supported in that determination by the EU, the Irish Government and parties in Northern Ireland. This means no routine immigration controls on journeys from within parts of the CTA (Ireland and the Crown Dependencies (Isle of Man; Jersey; Guernsey)) to the UK. We have been equally clear that as we exit the EU we will not countenance a situation that places new barriers between constituent parts of the United Kingdom. There is therefore, no question of any new passport or other checks on people travelling between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. As the Secretary of State said in his speech to the Conservative Party Conference there must be “no border between Great Britain and Northern Ireland or anything that fractures the internal market of the United Kingdom which benefits Northern Ireland hugely”.

Attorney General

Crown Prosecution Service: Welsh Government

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Attorney General, what steps he is taking to ensure greater collaboration between the Crown Prosecution Service and the Welsh Government.

Robert Buckland: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) works actively and regularly alongside the Welsh Government on a range of issues of mutual interest, notwithstanding that responsibility for criminal justice is not devolved. Recent examples of cooperation between the CPS and the Welsh Government include the following: The CPS has contributed to the development of the Welsh Government’s National Strategy on Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence. The Welsh Government has committed to work with the CPS and other criminal justice agencies to improve the response to those who report domestic abuse and sexual violence. The CPS continues to work with the Welsh Government on the delivery of the strategy. The CPS contributed substantially to the establishment of the Hate Crime Criminal Justice Board Cymru and its first chair was the CPS Hate Crime Coordinator. The Board draws together the Welsh Police Forces, and other non-devolved bodies such as the CPS and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service. CPS Cymru-Wales is represented strongly on the Welsh Government’s Wales Anti-Slavery Leadership Group which provides strategic leadership for the delivery of tackling slavery in Wales. The CPS is represented on the regional Welsh Government Mental Health and Criminal Justice Boards. The CPS has met with representatives of the Counsel General for Wales and has responded to the consultation on developing a Welsh Government Code for Prosecutors. The CPS has worked with the Welsh Government and the four Police Forces in Wales to develop a Memorandum of Understanding on Tackling Violence and Aggression Against NHS Wales Staff. CPS Cymru-Wales has appointed a senior manager to take lead responsibility for liaison with the Welsh Government to further strengthen relationships.

Department for International Development

United Nations: Secondment

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 6 October 2017 to Question 105728, on United Nations: secondment, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the United Nations Junior Professional Officer programme; and when she plans to publish her Department's (a) review of the three year pilot phase and (b) 2017 annual review of that programme.

Alistair Burt: Following consideration of the strategic impact of the Junior Professional Officer programme, I have decided to terminate the programme, as it no longer meets the UK Government’s strategic priorities for international secondments, nor does it continue to represent the best value for money for UK taxpayers. A programme completion report will be made available in early 2018 in the usual way through DFID’s development tracker.

Developing Countries: Cholera

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what her policy is on international action to end cholera by 2030; and if she will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: DFID is supportive of the ambition of the Global Task Force on Cholera Control to reduce mortality from cholera by 90% by 2030. We invest significantly in the provision of safe drinking water and sanitation services combined with good hygiene behaviour. We plan to help 60 million people gain access to water and sanitation between 2015 and 2020, building on our achievement of helping 64.5 million people gain access between 2011 and 2015. We are also supporting the delivery of oral cholera vaccines in areas affected by outbreaks and continue to invest in research into cholera prevention and treatment.

Developing Countries: Pneumonia

Chris Law: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to support programmes to tackle preventable child deaths from pneumonia in less developed countries.

Alistair Burt: The UK is the largest donor to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which delivers the pneumococcal vaccine to developing countries to protect against the main cause of pneumonia. Between 2010 and 2016, 109 million children received the vaccine with Gavi support, saving an estimated 762,000 lives.As part of the UK’s commitment to achieving the Global Goals, DFID supports countries to build stronger health systems that are better able to deal with all causes of ill health including pneumonia.

Burma: Violence

Chris Law: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to provide support to victims of gender-based violence in the Rakhine state.

Alistair Burt: DFID (and the FCO) are urgently speaking with humanitarian organisations and UN agencies, including the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative, to assess the level of support being provided for survivors of sexual violence currently in Cox’s Bazar. In Bangladesh we will provide counselling and psychological support for over 10,000 women suffering from the trauma of war and over 2,000 survivors of sexual violence. Aid workers have been getting UK-funded humanitarian assistance to more than 80,000 people in parts of Rakhine State in Burma in the areas affected by the violence, but have no access currently.

Burma: International Assistance

Chris Law: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what representations she has made to her counterpart in the Myanmar Government on ensuring unhindered aid access to all areas of the Rakhine state.

Alistair Burt: The UK has been leading the international response to the Rohingya crisis, and I have made repeated calls for humanitarian access. On my behalf, DFID officials met Burmese Government ministers to discuss constraints on assistance on the 4th, 14th, 22nd, 27th and 28th of September, and the 12th of October, and DFID met Rakhine state ministers to discuss access constraints on 30th August, and 26th September. We have ensured that language on humanitarian access has been included in UN Security Council discussions on Rakhine. Foreign Office Minister Mark Field was in Burma at the end of last month, where he raised access to both the Rakhine State Chief Minister and to the State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.

Syria: Internally Displaced People

Chris Law: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that humanitarian aid provided by programmes supported by her Department reaches internally displaced people in (a) Deir Ezzor and (b) Raqqa provinces.

Alistair Burt: We are stepping up our humanitarian support to meet the needs of internally displaced people (IDPs) across North East Syria. Many of those displaced in Deir Ezzor province have fled to neighbouring Raqqa and Hassakeh provinces where our partners are providing food, healthcare, water, shelter, sanitation and hygiene assistance. We are working with our partners to increase aid across Deir Ezzor province, where the security situation allows.Following the liberation of Raqqa City, UK aid is helping to clear landmines and explosives to enable those displaced to return to their homes safely as soon as possible.

Developing Countries: Schools

Chris Law: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to International Aid ONE's index of the toughest places for girls to get an education, what steps she is taking to support programmes to ensure that girls in fragile and conflict states are able to attend school.

Alistair Burt: DFID is helping to educate millions of girls in fragile and conflict affected states. The UK was a co-founder of Education Cannot Wait (ECW), a new fund to deliver quality education for children living in emergency and conflict settings. ECW investments in Chad and Ethiopia will support thousands of girls. We support a million marginalised girls to learn through the Girls’ Education Challenge programme; 70% of phase one programmes are set in fragile and conflict affected states. DFID also supports girls’ education through our bilateral programmes, such as the Girls Education in South Sudan (GESS) programme. To date, GESS has reached over 185,000 individual girls with cash transfers and 3810 schools have received grants.

Developing Countries: Education

Chris Law: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will allocated funds from the public purse to the Education Can't Wait fund for children affected by humanitarian crises.

Alistair Burt: The UK is a strong supporter of Education Cannot Wait and has been at the forefront of developing the fund. We were a founding donor and the largest contributor to the fund having pledged £30million from 2016 to 2018. We also provide technical expertise including through a DFID senior adviser seconded into the fund’s Secretariat.75 million children and youth are affected by humanitarian emergencies and protracted crises and are in need of education support. Education Cannot Wait is a critical platform to raise additional funds for education in some of the most challenging contexts, including inside Syria and Yemen, and to transform the delivery of education in emergency contexts globally.

Israel: Palestinians

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 18 October 2017 to Question 901233, on Israel: Palestinians, if she will publish the criteria by which applications for projects seeking funding will be judged by Search for Common Ground.

Alistair Burt: DFID is funding Search for Common Ground (SFCG) to implement our new people-to-people programme due to the organisation’s long global track record of peacebuilding projects and its experience in selecting the most effective partners to achieve agreed aims. As part of formal management arrangements, the programme Steering Committee, consisting of DFID and FCO officials and SFCG staff, agreed a robust set of criteria for SFCG’s prioritisation of potential project partners as follows: a) added value of the organisation and compatibility of approach with the programme’s scope; b) the robustness of financial and administrative systems of the organisation and the ability to deliver; c) the neutrality of the political stance of the organisation; d) access to Israeli and Palestinian societies and; e) credibility with both societies.

Israel: Palestinians

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 18 October 2017 to Question 901233, on Israel: Palestinians, if she will publish the application process for individual projects seeking funding from Search for Common Ground.

Alistair Burt: Ministers opted to fund Search for Common Ground (SFCG) directly as the overarching implementing partner of our new people-to-people programme to ensure delivery of a programme focused on three strategic areas: youth, religious communities and health. This approach will enable us to deliver an inter-connected programme, testing the effectiveness of different approaches and building evidence on what works. SFCG has selected project partners using the criteria as outlined in my answer to Question 108895.

Israel: Palestinians

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 18 October 2017 to Question 901233, on Israel: Palestinians, if she will publish the list of projects that have been allocated money by Search for Common Ground.

Alistair Burt: DFID is committed to ensuring the transparency of all UK official development assistance. In line with these commitments, the business case and accountable grant agreement for DFID’s new people-to-people programme are in the process of publication and will appear on DevTracker shortly at the following address: https://devtracker.dfid.gov.uk/projects/GB-GOV-1-300366. I will make further information available on partners in due course.

Department for Education

Schools: Monitoring

Jim McMahon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department monitors particular schools for gender segregation.

Anne Milton: Holding answer received on 18 October 2017



As part of Ofsted school inspections, inspectors consider how well leaders and governors promote all forms of equality and how well the school prepares pupils positively for life in modern Britain.In April 2016, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills wrote to my Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, making clear that where inspectors identify any form of segregation in a mixed school, without a good educational reason, this would likely lead to an inadequate judgement for the school’s leadership and management. This is consistent with the Department’s longstanding position that mixed schools should only separate children by gender in limited circumstances where this can be justified and where they can demonstrate that no pupil is disadvantaged by virtue of their gender.The recent case of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills –v- The Interim Executive Board of Al-Hijrah School has clarified the law in a way which supports that position.It will be for any other schools affected by the judgment to decide what action they might need to take in the light of the judgment. The Department will work with any affected schools to help them comply with the law.

Children: Day Care

James Cartlidge: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans she has to promote graduate recruitment in the early years workforce.

Mr Robert Goodwill: We are considering a range of approaches to increasing the number of graduates employed in the early years’ sector, and work is still underway. We will engage the sector in exploring ways to target support where it is most needed. We continue to support graduates into the sector through our funding of the Early Years Initial Teacher Training programme, including bursaries and employer incentives. Further information about Early Years Initial Teacher Training is available at:https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/explore-my-options/become-an-early-years-teacher

Academies: Finance

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the Multi-Academy Trust Development and Improvement Fund will be available for new rounds of applications annually after 2017-18.

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the funding allocation is to the Multi-Academy Trust Development and Improvement Fund in (a) 2015-16, (b) 2016-17, (c) 2017-18, (d) 2018-19, (e) 2019-20, (f) 2020-21 and (g) 2021-22.

Mr Robert Goodwill: A £53 million investment through the Multi-Academy Trust Development and Improvement Fund (MDIF) will be delivered in 2017-18. This will be the first time the MDIF is delivered. Funding decisions for future years will be subject to the usual budget processes.

Students: Grants

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on maintenance grants for university students; and if she will make a statement.

Joseph Johnson: The Government is keeping the student finance system under review to ensure it remains fair and effective and balances the interests of students and taxpayers.

English Language: Education

James Frith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing an English as a second language strategy.

Anne Milton: We are working across government to support adults in England to secure the English language skills they need for life and work. This is why adults in England are eligible for fully- or co-funded English for Speakers of Other Languages courses, depending on their employment status. In 2016/17 the Department supported 114,400 adults to improve their English language skills.Since 2013, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has invested £12 million to support 54,000 isolated adults to learn English in community settings at pre-entry level, focusing on women with no or very little English who are unlikely to access classes in more formal settings.The Government has also made available up to £10 million over five years for additional English language training and support for people resettled under the Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme to help them integrate into British society.DCLG has been reviewing the available evidence on the main causes of poor integration and we will bring forward plans for tackling these issues through a new integration strategy.

Department for Education: Procurement

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many companies supplying goods and services to her Department, or contracted to deliver services on behalf of her Department, have been identified as avoiding their tax liabilities in the UK.

Mr Robert Goodwill: I am sorry, but we do not hold this type of information.

Apprentices: Shipping

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to prioritise approval of standard for Maritime Caterer Apprenticeship between her Department and the Maritime Trailblazer Working Group.

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many times the standard for Maritime Caterer Apprenticeship submitted to her Department by the Maritime Trailblazer Working Group has been rejected since her Department assumed responsibility for apprenticeships policy.

Anne Milton: The Institute for Apprenticeships is an independent body with responsibility for the development and approval of apprenticeship standards. I have therefore asked the Institute to write to the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull East, Karl Turner, directly responding to the questions about the Maritime Caterer Apprenticeship. A copy of that response will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses when it is available.

Erasmus+ Programme

Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answers of 18 September 2017 to Questions 10212 and 10213 on Erasmus+, whether the Government will underwrite successful bids submitted for Erasmus+ for those students with a mandatory year abroad in 2019-20, including the bids that are signed after the UK leaves the EU.

Joseph Johnson: The Government has stated publicly that the United Kingdom (UK) is committed to continuing full participation in the Erasmus+ Programme up until we leave the European Union. We will underwrite successful bids for Erasmus+ that are submitted while the UK is still a member state, even if they are not approved until after we leave, and/or payments continue beyond the point of exit. Bids for higher education study periods submitted before the exit date will include mobility in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 academic years. The underwrite will cover funding for those successful bids which are submitted before exit and we are encouraging participants to continue to apply for funding until we leave.

Education: Assessments

Royston Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the change in attainment levels at Key Stage 4 for (a) white, (b) BAME and (c) all pupils  who are (i) eligible and (ii) not eligible for free school meals in the last seven years.

Nick Gibb: The Department has published the attainment levels, at the end of Key Stage 4, for all pupils, split by ethnicity and free school meals eligibility. They are available as part of the Department’s ‘GCSE and equivalents’ statistical first release (SFR)[1].The Government is determined to deliver an education system that ensures that all pupils – regardless of ethnicity, background or gender – have the opportunity to go as far as their talents and hard work will take them. Through our curriculum and qualification reforms we have set high expectations for what all pupils will achieve. Our performance measures for secondary schools are intended to focus attention on the academic progress made by every pupil during Key Stages 3 and 4, as well as their GCSE attainment.While pupil attainment does vary by ethnicity, the most significant factor affecting academic performance across all ethnic groups is economic disadvantage. We are helping schools improve the progress and attainment of disadvantaged pupils by continuing to provide pupil premium funding, worth nearly £2.5 billion in 2017-18. Our new national funding formula for schools, when fully implemented, will also allocate £3 billion – 9.1% of the total funding – based on deprivation factors. [1] For 2015/16, the SFR is located at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/revised-gcse-and-equivalent-results-in-england-2015-to-2016. The data is located in the ‘characteristics national tables: SFR03/2017’ table CH2A.For 2014/15, the SFR is located at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/revised-gcse-and-equivalent-results-in-england-2014-to-2015. The data is located in the ‘characteristics national tables: SFR01/2016’ table CH2A.For 2010/11 – 2013/14, the SFR is located at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/gcse-and-equivalent-attainment-by-pupil-characteristics-2014. The data is located in the ‘national and local authority tables: SFR05/2015’ table 2. All previous years can be accessed here.

Apprentices: Shipping

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to increase the number of apprentices in the maritime industry.

Anne Milton: We are taking action to support the growth of apprenticeships in a broad range of sectors, including the maritime industry, to meet our commitment of 3 million starts in England by 2020 – working with large and small businesses to begin or expand their programmes, setting new expectations for public sector bodies and through public procurement. The Institute for Apprenticeships is supporting employers to develop new apprenticeship standards. Specifically, they are supporting six employer groups which are developing standards in the following occupations: Port Operative, Workboat Crew Member, Able Seafarer (Deck), Maritime Caterer, Maritime Electrical / Mechanical Mechanic, Maritime Operations Officer, Engineering Technician (including four maritime related options) and Port Agent. Of these, three are approved for delivery and six are in development – further details of published standards and end point assessment plans can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/apprenticeship-standards.

Graduates: Employment

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will estimate the number of graduates in non-graduate jobs.

Joseph Johnson: The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects and publishes statistics on the outcomes of leavers from UK Higher Education Institutions. HESA records the type of employment outcome achieved according to occupation groupings defined by the Office for National Statistics, known as Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) codes 1-9. Professional and Managerial employment is grouped within SOC codes 1-3. The Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey measures the activity of graduates six months after graduation. It shows that 71 per cent of UK and EU domiciled employed full-time first degree leavers who finished their courses in the academic year 2015/16 were in professional occupations. Further information is available at the following link in table 7:https://www.hesa.ac.uk/news/29-06-2017/sfr245-destinations-of-leavers. The Longitudinal Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey follows up higher education leavers to measure their activity three and a half years after graduation. The most recent survey, of the 2012/13 leaving cohort, shows that 82 per cent of UK domiciled employed full-time first degree leavers were in professional occupations. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/publications/long-destinations-2012-13.

Pre-school Education: Disability

Tracy Brabin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many applications to the early years Disability Access Fund have been made; and how many have been granted.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Disability Access Fund, introduced in April 2017, is not something for which an application needs to be made. Local councils are required to pay £615 to early years settings for each child that is: taking-up the 3- and 4-year old free entitlement (not in reception); andreceiving Disability Living Allowance.Therefore, local councils have no discretion over whether it should be granted where the child meets the eligibility criteria.

Children: Day Care

Tracy Brabin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has received any representations from local authorities or teachers on the effect of 30 hours of free childcare on the number of children attending maintained nursery schools.

Mr Robert Goodwill: We have received no formal correspondence on this topic. However, stakeholders across the early years sector, including maintained nursery schools (MNS), are considering how 30 hours might change patterns of attendance and take up. We do not currently hold data on how many parents are accessing 30 hours of free childcare place through a MNS at a national level, but this will be captured in the January 2018 census. Maintained nursery schools are able to offer the 30 hours entitlement, as are all early years providers. However, if they cannot or do not want to offer the whole entitlement themselves, we would encourage them to consider a range of options for being involved in the delivery of the 30 hours entitlement, including working in partnership with other providers.

Pre-school Education: Teachers

Tracy Brabin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many people are currently enrolled in courses to become an early years teacher.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Experimental statistics on the number of new entrants to early years initial teacher training (ITT) in academic year 2016/17 were published as an annex to the ITT Census 2016/17, available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/initial-teacher-training-trainee-number-census-2016-to-2017The department will publish equivalent figures for academic year 2017/18 in the ITT Census 2017/18 on 30 November.

Training

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to improve the guidance provided by her Department on education and training opportunities for reskilling or upskilling for working people of all ages.

Anne Milton: In the Industrial Strategy Green Paper published in January 2017, the Government set out an ambitious plan to encourage ongoing learning throughout peoples’ working lives. The Spring Budget allocated up to £40m to fund pilots over the next two years which will help understand how best to engage adults about the opportunities and benefits of training. We are publishing a careers strategy shortly that will have a clear focus on social mobility. It will also include proposals to improve the quality and coverage of careers advice in schools and colleges. This advice will provide an additional stream of information for young people wishing to access training during their working lives.

Universities: Admissions

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with the Office for Students on the benefits of universities engaging with schools and students under the age of 16 to improve social mobility.

Joseph Johnson: In our consultation, published last week, on the framework that will inform the Office for Student’s (OfS) regulatory approach, we set out the opportunity the transition provides, to engender a step change in social mobility. The creation of the OfS creates an opportunity to strengthen ties between schools, colleges and universities, to support students to access, participate, succeed in, and progress from, higher education. The Government believes the UK’s world class higher education sector has a depth of expertise and resource to draw on – in governance, teaching and finance – which could help our state schools to improve, therefore helping to drive social mobility. In February this year the Director of Fair Access strengthened guidance on access agreements, by asking the sector to increase the pace and scope of its work with schools, to raise attainment for those from disadvantaged and under-represented groups. The Government endorses this guidance and expects a continuation in this direction of travel, through the transition to the OfS. The Government expects more higher education institutions to come forward to be involved in school sponsorship and in establishing new state schools, to help raise attainment and support school improvement.In addition to the important role higher education institutions can play in raising attainment and supporting school improvement, the Government also recognises the role they can play in raising the aspirations of young people, to support social mobility. In line with the latest guidance to the Director of Fair Access (February 2016), the Government expects higher education institutions to continue to build long term relationships with schools, through their outreach programmes, to help raise aspirations starting at primary school years. Through their 2018/19 access agreements universities and colleges expect to spend £196.9 million on access activities, including outreach (part of the total £860 million expected access agreement spend), an increase of £25.8 million or 15.1 per cent compared with 2017-18 (£171.1 million).

Apprentices: Assessments

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that all apprentices have an organisation in place to deliver final examinations before the end of their course.

Anne Milton: All examinations must be carried out by an End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) who have fulfilled the Education and Skills and Funding Agency’s (ESFA) registration criteria. This can be viewed via: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/651813/RoEPAO-_list_of_standards_for_applications_October_2017.xlsx) Apprentices cannot start their training until the relevant assessment plan has been approved and published. There are a small number of standards where there are starts without an EPAO yet confirmed. We are tracking those starts and proactively working with the Institute for Apprenticeships and the ESFA to ensure an EPAO for these standards. These apprenticeships will take at least 12 months to complete, which provides time for organisations to come forward to deliver an end-point assessment.

Children: Day Care

Tracy Brabin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many self-employed people have had their 30 hours of free childcare codes validated by a childcare provider.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs checks a parent’s eligibility for 30 hours free childcare, and a 30 hours eligibility code is generated if the parent is eligible.The following information is required to validate a 30 hours code via the Department for Education’s Eligibility Checking System: the 30 hours eligibility code, parent or partner’s National Insurance Number and child’s date of birth. We do not hold information on a parent's employment status for validated codes.

Ministry of Justice

Psychoactive Substances Act 2016

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people have been prosecuted and convicted under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 (a) in total and (b) for offences involving nitrous oxide since the commencement of that Act.

Mr Sam Gyimah: In 2016, there were 28 convictions in England and Wales under the Psychoactive Substances Act. Data on Psychoactive Substances prosecutions can be found on https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/criminal-justice-system-statistics-quarterly-december-2016.The information requested for those offences involving nitrous oxide is not held centrally and could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.

Central London County Court

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what resources have been allocated to the Central London County Court in each of the last five years.

Dr Phillip Lee: The table below sets out the staff allocation to the Central London County Court in each of the last five years. Budgeted ResourcesCentral London staff allocation17-186216-176215-166414-156713-1456.4

Central London County Court: Staff

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how staffing resources are allocated within the Central London County Court.

Dr Phillip Lee: The county courts are primarily staffed by multi-skilled administrative grades who are moved around the office as and when the need arises. Managers will use their discretion as to the skills and experience of staff members when allocating which administrative process they undertake.Administrative staff resource is allocated using the Business Management System (BMS). This is a workload management tool which captures the workflow through the Court. It enables managers to keep track of changing priorities and allocate resources to meet them.The system does not take away a manager’s discretion to take into account local factors and redistribute allotted resources in a way which maximises service in Court, but the effect of such decisions will be transparent and measurable.In court support is agreed with the local judiciary once the financial allocation is made to best support them and the administration of justice.

Jobseeker's Allowance: Glasgow East

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average waiting time for jobseeker's allowance tribunals in Glasgow East constituency was in each of the last four years.

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average waiting time for tax credits tribunals in Glasgow East constituency was in each of the last four years.

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average waiting time for income support tribunals in Glasgow East constituency was in each of the last four years.

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average waiting time for employment and support allowance tribunals in Glasgow East constituency was in each of the last four years.

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average waiting time for personal independence payment tribunals in Glasgow East constituency was in each of the last four years.

Dr Phillip Lee: The information requested is set out in the table below.Year 3The average time from receipt (Weeks)1 in HM Courts & Tribunals Service to outcome Glasgow Venue22013-20142014-20152015-20162016-2017Jobseekers Allowance82113.313.5Tax Credit 49.612.71812.2Income Support16.424.716.120.3Employment and Support Allowance515.21513.313Personal Independence Payment67.712.513.4131. Average Clearance Time – time taken from appeal receipt to outcome. This includes both those cleared at hearing and those cleared without the need for a tribunal hearing.2. First-tier Tribunal (Social Security and Child Support) appeals for Glasgow East constituents are heard in the Glasgow venue. 3. The table shows information in the financial year April to March.4. Tax Credit includes Working Family Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Working Tax Credit.5. Employment and Support Allowance includes Employment and Support Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Reassessments).6. Personal Independence Payments (New Claim Appeals), which replaced Disability Living Allowance from 8 April 2013, also includes Personal Independence Claims (Reassessments). In 2013/14 numbers were low with 15 Personal Independence Payment appeals being disposed of in the Glasgow Venue.Although care is taken when processing and analysing the data, the details are subject to inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale case management system and are the best data that are available.Any disparity in waiting times is monitored and investigated locally. In general waiting times can fluctuate temporarily and geographically, owing to a number of variable factors, including volumes of benefit decisions made locally, availability of medical/disability members, venue capacity, and the complexity of appeals.

Administration of Justice: Wales

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans the Justice in Wales Working Group have to discuss its work with the Commission on Justice in Wales.

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether the Justice in Wales Working Group consulted the (a) Police Commissioners, (b) Police Chiefs and (c) Police Federation in Wales prior to the publication of its report on devolution.

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will publish the list of organisations and individuals consulted by the Justice in Wales Working Group relating to its report on devolution.

Dr Phillip Lee: The Justice in Wales Working Group concluded in December 2016. At that time, the Working Group reported to UK Government ministers and the Lord Chief Justice on the importance of mutual cooperation on justice matters between the Welsh Government and the UK Government.It is a matter for the Welsh Government to determine how its proposed Commission will consult. We fully expect the Welsh Government and the Commission will continue to work with the Ministry of Justice going forward. As stated by Lord Bourne during the Report Stage of the Wales Bill (Hansard reference: Wales Bill Lords Report Day 1,Column 1265), the UK Government considers that there should be an ongoing review of the justice system in Wales, carried out by an independent advisory committee. This committee will examine and make recommendations on how justice services can continue to reflect the distinctiveness of Wales. This committee will be established shortly and will represent devolved interests and those within the justice system. The Working Group’s review was discussed at a meeting of the All Wales Criminal Justice Board in October 2016, at which there was Police and Crime Commissioner representation. The Working Group did not meet Police Commissioners, Police Chiefs or Police Federation in Wales directly, as the Working Group’s terms of reference were focussed on strengthening the administrative arrangements that underpins the way in which Assembly laws become fully embedded in the justice system. During its period of review, the Working Group consulted the judiciary and individuals from the following organisations: The Law Society of England and WalesThe Law Society in WalesThe Bar Council of England and WalesThe University of Wales CardiffThe University of Wales SwanseaThe University of Wales BangorCardiff School of Law and PoliticsSwansea Law SchoolGeldards LLPBlake Morgan LLPThe Law CommissionThe Crown Prosecution ServiceThe National Offender Management Service (NOMS) in WalesHer Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) WalesThe Youth Justice Board (YJB) CymruThe Judicial College

Female Genital Mutilation: Prosecutions

Laura Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prosecutions for female genital mutilation there have been in the last 30 years.

Dr Phillip Lee: There has been one prosecution which was under the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003.

Prisons: Port Talbot

Stephen Kinnock: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 7 September 2017 to Question 900688, what progress his Department has made towards arranging the two-day public event to consult on plans for a new prison in Port Talbot; and on what date that event will take place.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The contributions of local stakeholders in helping shape our plans for this site are important to us. In line with this, Ministry of Justice (MoJ) officials attended your public meeting on the 20 September to listen to the local community’s concerns. We want to continue to talk to you and your constituents as we develop our proposals in more detail. MoJ officials will hold a two day public consultation event in due course, allowing the local community, local businesses and other stakeholders further opportunity to comment, however the details have not yet been confirmed. As I mentioned in my answer of 7 September 2017 to Question 900688, this event will be over and above the statutory consultation process required.

Prisons: Private Sector

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if his Department plans to award any new prison contracts to private sector organisations during the course of the current Parliament.

Mr Sam Gyimah: We will modernise the prison estate, closing older prisons that are not fit for purpose and creating in their place high-quality, modern establishments. This will help deliver prisons that are more safe and secure, so our staff can work more closely with offenders to change their lives and turn their back on crime for good. Decisions have yet to be made about the future operation of any new prisons or existing privately managed prisons where contracts are due to expire in the next five years.

Prisoners' Release: Housing

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent progress his Department has made on ensuring that all prisoners have a place to live on release from prison.

Mr Sam Gyimah: Assisting offenders to secure suitable accommodation upon their release is a vital part of the Government’s approach to reducing reoffending.Through the commencement of the Homelessness Reduction Act (2017) and DCLG laying a statutory instrument, Prisons and Probation providers will be subject to the new duty to refer to the local housing authority someone who they support who might be at risk of becoming homeless.We continue to work with all providers to help make sure offenders get the support they need to find accommodation and employment on release.

Prisons: Construction

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many of the 10,000 new modern adult prison places planned will be additional places.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The Government set out its ambition for a reformed prison estate in the November 2016 Prison Safety and Reform White Paper. Our reforms will close down ageing and ineffective prisons and replace them with buildings fit for today’s demands. Our prison estate will provide 10,000 new prison places that create the physical conditions for Governors to achieve better educational, training and rehabilitation outcomes.

Ministry of Defence

Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Tankers

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information his Department held on potential corruption or accounting issues with Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering at the time of placing orders for the Tide-class of tankers.

Harriett Baldwin: Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering's (DSME) financial issues emerged in 2016, four years after the contract for the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) Tanker programme was placed.The Department held no information regarding potential corruption or accounting irregularities with DSME at the time of contract award for the MARS programme in 2012.

Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Tankers

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the (a) estimated original planned date of entry into service was and (b) current expected date for entry into service is for each of the planned Tide-class tankers.

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reasons the first two Tide-class tankers have been delivered behind schedule.

Harriett Baldwin: We expect all four Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) Tankers to have entered service with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary by the end of 2018, as planned.

Ministry of Defence: Contracts

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and which of his Department's contracts placed since the 2015 SDSR, whose value is £1 million or above, have taken National Security Objective 3 into account.

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what weight was attached to the marking criteria for National Security Objective 3 for each of his Department's contracts for which that objective was taken into account.

Harriett Baldwin: Each year, the Ministry of Defence awards a significant number of contracts, by means of both single source and competitive procurement. Procurers have to assess whether the issues set out in National Security Objective 3, which seeks to promote our prosperity, are relevant to their procurement. As each contract is awarded on its own merit, detailed information is held with individual commercial teams and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

United Nations Command: Armed Forces

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to increase the number of UK armed forces personnel assigned to UN Command.

Mark Lancaster: We currently have no plans to increase the number of UK personnel assigned to UN Command Korea, but we routinely review our commitment to international headquarters and missions around the region.

United Nations Command

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the estimated cost to his Department is of the UK's annual contribution to UN Command.

Mark Lancaster: For financial year 2017-18, £249,000 per annum has been allocated to fund two staff officer positions within UN Command in the Republic of Korea.

Russia: Military Exercises

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to announce the results of the UK element of the surveillance operation to monitor Zapad 17; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Lancaster: In view of the scale and lack of transparency of the recent Zapad 17 exercise led by Russia, the UK and its Allies remained vigilant throughout. A variety of means were used to monitor the conduct of the exercise. I cannot comment further for the purpose of safeguarding national security.

United Nations Command: Military Exercises

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK armed forces personnel from the (a) Royal Navy, (b) Army and (c) Royal Air Force have been sent to the two annual exercises held under the UN Command in each of the last five years.

Mark Lancaster: The numbers of UK Armed Forces personnel that have been sent to exercises KEY RESOLVE and ULCHI FREEDOM GUARDIAN held under the United Nations Command in Republic of Korea in each of the last five years is as follows:  KEY RESOLVE  ULCHI FREEDOM GUARDIAN   NavyArmyRAFNavyArmyRAF2013122233201422432320155873127201605123126201735025127

USA: Military Alliances

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK armed forces exchange officers on exchange with the US military are currently assigned to ROK-US Combined Forces Command in South Korea.

Mark Lancaster: There are currently no UK Armed Forces officers on exchange with the US military who are assigned to Republic of Korea-US Combined Forces Command in South Korea. There are currently three UK officers embedded in United States Forces Korea. Two are employed in United Nations Command Korea staff branches and one in a United States Forces Korea staff branch.

Saudi Arabia: Military Alliances

Leo Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he expects defence cooperation between the UK and Saudi Arabia to increase as a result of his Department's announcement of the UK signing of a new military and security cooperation agreement with that country on 19 September 2017.

Sir Michael Fallon: Yes.

Type 26 Frigates

Sir Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will name one of the new City Class Type 26 frigates HMS Exeter after Devon's capital city.

Harriett Baldwin: The names for the new City Class Type 26 Frigates have been decided and will be announced at appropriate opportunities in the future. So far the first two ships have been named HMS GLASGOW and HMS BELFAST.

Veterans: Mental Illness

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to collect data on the number of Armed Forces veterans with (a) post traumatic stress disorder and (b) other mental health conditions.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The provision of veterans' healthcare, including mental healthcare, is the responsibility of the National Health Service in England and the Devolved Administrations.The Ministry of Defence provides advice, information and signposting to support services for veterans through its Veterans Gateway service. In addition we encourage veterans wishing to seek help with mental health problems to visit: www.gov.uk/mental-health-support-for-the-uk-armed-forces or call the 24-hour veterans' mental health helpline on 0800 138 1619.

USA: HMS Vigilant

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the purpose was of HMS Vigilant's visit to the USA in September 2017.

Sir Michael Fallon: HMS VIGILANT visited the USA as part of a routine engagement between the UK and the USA in support of the UK's deterrent programme.

Army Air Corps: Staff

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which units of the Army Air Corps he plans to reduce in size as a result of reductions in the number of personnel; and what plans he has to reduce the number of personnel in each rank in that organisation in order to achieve that reduction.

Mark Lancaster: Army 2020 Refine is reviewing Army structures as part of the work to implement the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015. No decisions regarding Army Aviation have been taken yet.

Caribbean: Armed Forces

Tonia Antoniazzi: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with UK mobile telephone operators about waiving mobile roaming charges for military personnel deployed to the Caribbean following the recent hurricanes that have affected the region.

Mark Lancaster: No such discussions have taken place. A Deployed Welfare Package is usually put in place on operations to ensure Service personnel can stay in communications with those at home. Due to the short duration of this operation, in lieu of a Deployed Welfare Package, all of those deployed have been paid a Local Overseas Allowance. This contributes towards the necessary additional local cost of day-to-day living when Service personnel are required to serve overseas. In this deployment, this allowance was paid in addition to that given to Service personnel who were living under 'field conditions', where their food and accommodation charges are waived.

Defence Fire Risk Management Organisation

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the timetable is for awarding the Defence Fire Risk Management Organisation contract; and when the successful bidder of that contract will commence mobilisation.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The final bids in respect of the Defence Fire and Rescue Project were received on 19 September 2017. These bids are now being assessed and, subject to receiving the necessary approvals, the contract is expected to be awarded in 2018.

Department for Work and Pensions

Universal Credit: Telephone Services

Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average duration of a phone call was to the universal credit helpline in each of the last three months.

Damian Hinds: Data to indicate the average duration of calls to the Universal Credit helpline for each of the last 3 months is presented in the table below. Please note:The average (full) call duration on the Universal Credit Helpline indicated in the data table below includes the average amount of time that calls were waiting in a telephony queue before being answered by a Customer Adviser and the average amount of time that Customer Advisers were talking to customers on inbound calls.The data supplied is derived from unpublished management information, which was collected for internal Departmental use only and has not been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics publication standard. The data should therefore be treated with caution. MonthAverage Call Duration (in minutes and seconds)Jul-1712:14Aug-1713:02Sep-1713:12

Universal Credit: Greater Manchester

Jim McMahon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, (a) how many claimants are currently in receipt of universal credit and (b) what estimate he has made of the number of such claimants once the roll-out of universal credit has been completed in each of the 10 local authority areas in Greater Manchester.

Damian Hinds: (a) The latest figures are available in the Official Universal Credit Statistics at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/universal-credit-29-apr-2013-to-14-sep-2017 (b) The information is not currently available

Unemployment: Angus

Kirstene Hair: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans the Government has to tackle youth unemployment in Angus constituency.

Damian Hinds: The number of young unemployed claimants is continuing to fall. The proportion of young people (aged 16-24) who are unemployed and not in full time education is at a new record low of 4.8% and the youth claimant count in Angus has fallen by 40% since 2010. As planned, we have also introduced the Youth Obligation to provide intensive support for 18-21 year olds making a new claim to Universal Credit full service from April 2017. We are rolling out the Youth Obligation in line with the roll-out schedule for Universal Credit full service across Scotland, therefore, young claimants in Angus will start receiving more intensive support from the Youth Obligation from November 2017.

Universal Credit: Lone Parents

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what additional support is being offered to single parent families applying for universal credit whose children are at risk of falling into poverty.

Damian Hinds: We know that work is the best route out of poverty, and Universal Credit is designed to strengthen incentives for parents to move into and progress in work. Universal Credit provides a package of additional support which is available to lone parents. For claimants in financial need at the start of their claim this can include an Advance of up to 50% of their indicative award so that they have money to tide them over. And we have recently updated our guidance to ensure that all claimants are aware of advances at the outset, how much they can claim and what the maximum repayment period is. Budgeting support is also available to ensure that claimants can manage on an ongoing basis. Furthermore, the Government now provides more support than ever before to help parents with the costs of childcare, including providing 15 hours a week of free childcare in England for all 3 and 4 year olds and disadvantaged 2 year olds, doubling free childcare available for working parents of 3 and 4 year olds to 30 hours a week and enabling parents to reclaim up to 85% of their childcare costs which is expected to help 500,000 additional families at a cost of around £350m/year. Tailored Work Coach support is at the centre of the Universal Credit experience and Work Coaches tailor claimants’ work-related requirements according to their capability and personal circumstances, making them realistic and achievable. For lone parents, this can include reducing the time that they need to spend searching for work to reflect any caring responsibilities and agreeing to restrictions on type, hours and location of work.

Jobcentres: Galashiels

John Lamont: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the status is of his Department's proposal to move the Galashiels Jobcentre.

Damian Hinds: We announced on 5 July that this jobcentre’s staff and services were to relocate to a new DWP office: this plan has now changed. We are still progressing the options to locate a new office, so our staff and services will be staying in the current location for a period of at least 12 months whilst we conclude this activity.

Social Security Benefits: Young People

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent progress his Department has made on the roll-out of the Youth Obligation.

Damian Hinds: I refer the honourable member to question 107267 which was answered on 16 October.

Universal Credit: Glasgow East

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the longest length of time in days is that a universal credit applicant has waited for their initial payment in Glasgow East constituency to date.

Damian Hinds: There is no data broken down by area or region. However, data published on 15 September 2017 shows that, nationally, 81% of new full service claims received their first payment in full and on time. Across the whole of Universal Credit 92% of all households received full payment on time. The published data can be found here.https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/universal-credit-payment-timeliness-january-to-june-2017

Jobcentres: Glasgow

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate his Department has made of the cost to adapt Shettleston Jobcentre to accommodate extra staff and customers as a result of the closure of Parkhead, Easterhouse and Bridgeton Jobcentres in February 2018.

Damian Hinds: We are not in a position to share figures relating to the cost of adapting Shettleston Jobcentre. This is due to commercial confidentiality pending completion of legal processes. We expect to make savings by merging offices through reduced running costs and making best use of both office space available and taxpayer’s money.

Jobcentres: Glasgow

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate his Department has made of how many full-time equivalent staff will be employed by his Department at Shettleston Jobcentre in Glasgow after the closure of Parkhead, Easterhouse and Bridgeton Jobcentres in February 2018.

Damian Hinds: We are unable to confirm the number of full-time equivalent staff who will be employed at Shettleston Jobcentre in February 2018, as the final allocation may change based on claimant demand. We can confirm that all of the staff who are currently working in Easterhouse, Bridgeton and Parkhead Jobcentres will relocate to Shettleston.

Jobcentres: Glasgow

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an estimate of the number of full-time equivalent work coaches who will be based at Shettleston Jobcentre when universal credit is rolled out in Glasgow East constituency.

Damian Hinds: We are unable to confirm the number of full-time equivalent work coaches who will be employed at Shettleston Jobcentre when Universal Credit is rolled out, as the final allocation may change based on claimant demand.

Jobcentres: Glasgow

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans his Department has to change the opening hours of Shettleston Jobcentre; and if he will make a statement.

Damian Hinds: At present there are no plans to change the opening hours at Shettleston Jobcentre.

Jobcentres: Sheffield

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has conducted a cost-benefit analysis of the closure of Eastern Avenue jobcentre.

Damian Hinds: The Department conducts detailed analysis of a range of factors, including cost, value for money, economic factors and affordability.

State Retirement Pensions

Stephen Kinnock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance his Department provides on (a) how to request a state pension forecast and (b) the process for claiming a state pension.

Guy Opperman: Customers can request an estimate of their State Pension, which is known as a State Pension Statement, from The Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) up to four months prior to reaching State Pension age by: - using the DWP online service at www.gov.uk/future-pension-centre or www.yourpension.gov.ukby telephoning the DWP Future Pension Centre on 0345 300 0168by writing to The Pension Service 9, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton WV98 1LU and requesting form BR19 – Application for a State Pension Statement  Customers can claim their State Pension from DWP when they are within four months of reaching State Pension age by: - using the DWP online claim service at www.gov.uk/claim-state-pension-onlinecontacting the DWP State Pension claim line on 0800 731 7898 and making a claim by telephoneby writing to The Pension Service 4, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton WV98 1AG and request a BR1 – State Pension claim form Customers may be asked to provide documentary verification to support their State Pension claim, depending on the information held by DWP for each respective customer.

State Retirement Pensions: Females

Stephen Kinnock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many women born in the 1950s and affected by the changes in state pension age (a) are entitled to the full state pension, (b) do not have the required number of qualifying years for a full state pension and (c) were contracted out.

Guy Opperman: The State Pension age changes in the 1995 Pensions Act affect all women born on or after 6th April 1950. The 2011 Pensions Act affects women born between 6th April 1953 and 5th April 1960. The figures in the tables below refer to those women born between 6th April 1950 and 5th April 1960 inclusive who have claimed their State Pension. Table 1: Numbers of women receiving the full-rate, or less than the full-rate, of basic or new State Pension Table 1TotalReceiving Full RateReceiving less than Full RateBasic State Pension1,029,600796,900232,700new State Pension26,8005,50021,300Total1,056,400802,400254,000 Note 1: The new State Pension came in for people reaching State Pension age on or after 6th April 2016.Note 2: The figures above refer to those people receiving the relevant full-rates without considering entitlements to any additional payments e.g. for Additional Pension or Protected Payments. Those women who are in receipt of the full-rate of State Pension will have at least the number of qualifying years necessary for a full basic or new State Pension. Those receiving less than the full-rate of basic State Pension will not have the required number of qualifying years. Data is not available on the number of qualifying years for those reaching State Pension age on or after 6th April 2016, when the new State Pension system began. Table 2: Numbers of women with and without contracted-out status Table 2Basic State PensionEver been contracted-out477,800Never been contracted-out551,800Total1,029,600 Source: DWP Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, September 2016Figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. Note 3: Data is not available for contracted-out status for those reaching State Pension age on or after 6th April 2016, when the new State Pension system began.

State Retirement Pensions

Stephen Kinnock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to improve guidance on how people can access information on their contributory years to the state pension in order to plan effectively for retirement.

Guy Opperman: Our early user research identified that people need to understand the link between their National Insurance contribution record and the State Pension this may give them. This is why we introduced the online Check your State Pension service in February 2016. This service provides a State Pension forecast, the earliest date the user can get their State Pension, and whether they can improve their forecast. The service also allows them to look at their National Insurance record online. Since its introduction, 5.6 million State Pension forecasts have been viewed online.

Department for Work and Pensions: Telephone Services

Debbie Abrahams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will publish a list of contractors responsible for operating his Department's telephone helplines.

Caroline Dinenage: Calls to DWP Contact Centres are provisioned by BT and published under the Contact Services contract on the Contracts Finder website. https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ec58d876-3b02-4236-a0bf-e0d203a961a7?p=@RPT0=NjJNT08=UFQxUlR

Department for Work and Pensions: Telephone Services

Debbie Abrahams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the total expenditure was on the operation of telephone helplines at his Department in each of the last 12 months.

Caroline Dinenage: The Department for Work and Pensions operates a virtual telephony platform which enables it to manage fluctuating call demands by increasing or decreasing the number of agents it uses to handle calls. As the Department manages call demand in this manner it is not able to identify the resource costs of operating its helplines.

Department for Work and Pensions: Telephone Services

Ian C. Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what income his Department derived from telephone helplines for benefits in each of the last five years.

Caroline Dinenage: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) does not receive any income from any of its Telephone lines including 0345.

Department for Work and Pensions: Telephone Services

Ian C. Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will list the numbers and subjects covered by telephone helplines for benefits provided by his Department.

Caroline Dinenage: The current Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) position is that all calls should be free to our 0800 numbers to apply for benefit, including the following: 0800 731 7898 State Pension,0800 991 234 Pension Credit,0800 055 6688 Jobseekers’ Allowance (JSA), Income Support (IS), & Employment Support Allowance (ESA)0800 917 2222 Personal Independence Payment (PIP).  The Department uses 0345 telephone numbers where its customers call for other reasons, as these are calls that typically take less time to resolve. If a customer raises concerns over the cost of a call, we will offer to call them back.  The majority of the calls received by the Department are managed through the 0345 numbers available below in order of most frequently used lines.  0345 608 8545Legacy Benefit Enquiry Line (ESA, JSA, & IS)0345 600 0723Universal Credit Helpline0345 850 3322Personal Independence Payment Enquiry Line0345 603 6967Social Fund Enquiry Line0345 266 8792Child Maintenance 2012 Enquiry Line0345 606 0265State Pension & Pension Credit Enquiry Line0345 604 3719Jobcentre Enquiry Line0345 600 4272Universal Credit Digital Service Centre0345 712 3456Disability Living Allowance Enquiry Line0345 600 0643National Insurance Number Appointments0345 608 4321Carer's Allowance0345 850 0293Debt Management Enquiries0345 605 6055Attendance Allowance0345 300 0168Future Pensions Enquiry Line0345 601 0008International Pensions Enquiry Line0345 600 1011The Pensions Regulator Enquiry Line0345 608 8610Maternity Allowance Enquiry Line0345 609 0082Child Support Helpline - North West0345 609 0062Child Support Helpline - Midlands0345 609 0042Child Support Helpline - Northern0345 600 0685Debt Management Employer Helpline0345 604 4015Provider Direct Enquiry Line0345 609 0052Child Support Helpline - South East0345 609 0072Child Support Helpline - South West0345 915 1515Winter Fuel for non-benefit customers0345 609 0092Child Support Helpline - East England0345 604 3349DWP Online Helpdesk (Technical helpdesk)0345 268 8489Access to Work Enquiry Line0345 601 2001Employer Direct / Universal Jobmatch Enquiry Line0345 713 3133Child Support General Enquiry Line0345 608 8601Bereavement Support Payment / Bereavement Benefit Enquiry Line0345 850 0051Debt Management Enquiries0345 641 5008National Insurance Number Enquiry Line 10345 266 8978Child Maintenance 2012 - Northern Ireland Enquiry Line0345 600 2475The Pensions Regulator Enquiry Line0345 758 5433Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit Enquiry Line0345 603 9439Warm Home Discount Scheme Enquiry Line0345 266 0041Universal Credit Housing Escalation Enquiry Line0345 266 9658Child Maintenance 2012 - Employer Enquiry Line0345 600 0707The Pensions Regulator Enquiry Line0345 600 2537Pension Tracing Service0345 605 7064Benefit Cap Enquiry Line0345 608 0022Child Support Helpline - Northern Ireland0345 301 3011State Pension Enquiry Line0345 713 6010Child Support - Employer Enquiry Line0345 600 5666The Pensions Regulator Enquiry Line0345 606 9970Universal Credit Live Digital Enquiry Line0345 600 1063Child Maintenance 2012 - Belfast0345 602 7301Department for Communities - Northern Ireland - ESA Enquiry Line0345 603 0526National Insurance Number Enquiry Line 20345 600 2859Payment Resolution Service - Third Party Payments  Following a recent announcement all 0345 DWP telephone numbers will move to 0800 Freephone numbers by the end of the calendar year starting with Universal Credit in November 17.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Fisheries: North Sea

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will support the policy of the European Council of Ministers on the North Sea Multiannual Plan to legally sanction overfishing of bottom dwelling fish stocks such as cod and haddock over the next five years.

George Eustice: The draft North Sea Multi Annual Plan includes an upper range for fishing consistent with Maximum Sustainable Yield. Exploitation rates may be set within this upper range only in certain prescribed circumstances, for example to maintain balance in a mixed fishery. The UK supports this general approach, which we consider to be consistent with the principle of sustainable fisheries.

Agriculture: ICT

Tommy Sheppard: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the cost of (a) improved and (b) new IT systems to administer support to the agriculture sector after 2020.

George Eustice: Leaving the EU presents a major opportunity for UK agriculture. We will be able to design new policies which specifically benefit the agriculture sector, the countryside and the environment. As part of this, we will determine what new systems we may need to implement these policies effectively, how existing IT infrastructure could be adapted, and the costs of doing so.

Ivory: Exports

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to ban the export of ivory from the UK.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The government announced its proposals on October 6 to introduce a total ban on UK sales of ivory and the import and export of ivory for sale to and from the UK, that could contribute either directly or indirectly to the continued poaching of elephants. Consultation on the proposals, which include some carefully defined and narrowly targeted exemptions runs until 29 December, and we will publish a response soon after.

Fly Tipping

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that local authorities use their powers to seize motor vehicles involved in fly-tipping.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Government is committed to tackling fly-tipping on a number of fronts. In 2015 we gave local authorities stronger powers to stop, seize and destroy vehicles of those suspected of fly-tipping. It is the responsibility of local authorities to use the powers available to them. The National Fly-tipping Prevention Group has published guidance for local authorities which sets out clearly the powers available to local authorities and other partners when tackling fly-tipping.

Game: Poaching

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to tackle the poaching of game birds.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Poaching is one of the UK’s six wildlife crime priorities, which are set by the UK Wildlife Crime Tasking and Co-ordination Group, supported by the Wildlife Crime Conservation Advisory Group (WCCAG), chaired by JNCC. The National Wildlife Crime Unit, funded partly by Defra and the Home Office, assists regional police forces in tackling these crimes by gathering and analysing intelligence, sharing this with the police and assisting police investigations. The main statutes governing poaching are the Game Act 1831, the Poaching Prevention Act 1862 and the Night Poaching Acts 1828 and 1844. The police are the law enforcement authority for poaching offences. The Government is committed to ensuring that the protection this legislation offers wildlife is effectively enforced and there are strong penalties for offenders, including imprisonment.

Nature Conservation: EU Law

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to safeguard nature by ensuring EU environmental directives, including directives that protect the water environment are transposed into UK law after the UK leaves the EU; and what mechanisms and sanctions are in place to enforce that legislation.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: We have a strong track record on protecting our environment. We have improved more than 5,300 miles of rivers since 2010. The water environment is in the healthiest state for 25 years with otters, salmon, sea trout and other wildlife having returned to many rivers for the first time since the industrial revolution. Producing aOur 25-year Environment Plan is a manifesto commitment and it will sets out how we will improve our environment as we leave the European Union. Secondary legislation has already transposed EU Directives covering our water environment into domestic law. and tThe European Union (Withdrawal) Bill will ensure that, wherever possible, this same legislation will apply the day after exit as it did before. The Bill will also convert European Union law into UK law as it applies in the UK at the moment of exit. The Government is still making a detailed assessment of what corrections will be required to make that law function appropriately on the day we leave. As water quality is a devolved policy area, Ministers in the devolved administrations will exercise their corresponding powers to deal with deficiencies arising from withdrawal. The UK has a legal framework for enforcing environmental protections and this will remain after we leave the European Union. This includes provision for regulators to enforce environmental regulations.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reasons he has not yet answered Questions 106497, 106498 and 106499, on flood control: Greenwich; and when he plans to answer those questions.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Questions 106497, 106498 and 106499 were answered on 19 October 2017.

Home Office

Asylum: Housing

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what undertakings has G4S made to improve service in relation to accommodation for asylum seekers.

Brandon Lewis: The Government demands the highest standards and integrity from our contractors at all times and the Home Office monitor them closely to ensure their accommodation and service meets the requirements set out in the contracts. The Home Office has worked closely with all our Providers, to improve property standards over the lifetime of the contracts.

Asylum: Housing

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in how many of the last 12 months G4S has met its KPIs for providing accommodation for asylum seekers.

Brandon Lewis: Property standards under COMPASS are monitored by three key performance indicators to ensure it is safe, habitable and fit for purpose. Non-conformance occurs when the defects are not rectified within the agreed contractual timescales. Where there is any instance of non-conformance the performance indicators are applied which may lead to a financial deduction.

Refugees: Children

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reason the UK has not yet facilitated the transfer of any child refugees to the UK under the Dubs amendment; and what steps she has taken to ensure that that facilitation takes place.

Brandon Lewis: We are fully committed to delivering our commitment to transfer the specified number of 480 children under section 67 and transfers are ongoing.We are working very closely with Member States, as well as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and NGO partners to identify and transfer children to the UK in line with each individual Member State’s national laws.In 2016, we transferred over 900 unaccompanied children to the UK from Europe, including more than 200 children who met the criteria for section 67.

Home Office: Brexit

Mr David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the proportion of the Civil Service workforce in her Department dedicated to planning for (a) the UK leaving the EU and (b) projects relating to the UK leaving the EU.

Brandon Lewis: The Home Office constantly monitors the capabilities it needs to deliver the Government’s agenda. Any resultant changes to resource requirements flowing from Home Office EU Exit planning or related projects are factored into strategic planning.

Home Office: EU Law

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her Department's estimate is of the amount of EU legislation and regulation that can be incorporated into UK law without amendment.

Brandon Lewis: The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill will convert European Union law into UK law as it applies in the UK at the moment of exit. This will ensure that, wherever possible, the same rules and laws will apply the day after exit as they did before. The Government is still making a detailed assessment of what corrections will be required to make that law function appropriately on exit day. The Department for Exiting the European Union are working closely with departments across Government to ensure we make the changes required to deliver a functioning statute book on exit in the most efficient manner possible.

Gambling: Crime

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on the effect on crime of problem gambling and gambling addiction.

Sarah Newton: Home Office Ministers have regular meetings as part of the process of policy development and delivery.

Knives: Sales

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effect on employment of proposed changes to the sale of knives online on people who purchase knives for their profession and live in rural areas.

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has of the effect on employment of proposed changes to the sale of knives online on people who purchase knives and sharp-edged tools for their profession.

Sarah Newton: The consultation on proposed new legislation on offensive and dangerous weapons was published on 14 October. We have produced consultation stage impact assessments to assess the impact to the criminal justice system and relevant stakeholders of the proposals.The impact assessments are also available together with the consultation. A further impact assessment, taking into account information provided in the consultation will be produced after the consultation. The consultation is available in gov.uk. The consultation includes the proposal that knives sold online should not be delivered to a private residential address. This proposal is aimed at preventing the sale of knives to under 18s.The proposal will not prevent knives being sold online and instead being collected from a place where the age and identity of the purchaser can be checked or from being delivered to a non-residential address such as a business. We recognise that knives are essential in everyday life at home and at work and this proposal does not change that.

Immigration: EU Nationals

Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate the Government has made of the number of non-UK EU citizens who will qualify for settled status by March 2019.

Brandon Lewis: The Home Office has not made any direct estimates of the numbers of EU citizens who will qualify for settled status. However we know that the estimated population of non-UK EU citizens resident in UK was a) 3.5m by Country of Birth (3.1m excluding Irish born); and b) 3.6m by Nationality (3.2m excluding Irish nationals), in the year ending 2016.*  *ONS, Population of the United Kingdom by Country of Birth and Nationality. Released: 24 August 2017, next release: 23 August 2018.

Sleeping Rough: EU Nationals

Mr David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many staff from (a) police, (b) Department staff and (c) staff at her Department's agencies are engaged in detaining and deporting EU citizens sleeping tough; and at what cost to the taxpayer is of each category.

Brandon Lewis: I am sorry but the information requested is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The Home Office is working alongside a number of partners to reduce rough sleeping by EU citizens, including local authorities. In carrying out this work, Immigration Enforcement responds to requests for intervention from a range of local partners and works closely alongside commissioned outreach teams and third sector organisations to ensure that vulnerable people receive the care they need.

Visas: Turkey

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Turkish citizens were granted a Turkish Businessperson visa to the UK under the terms of the Ankara Agreement in each year between 2007 and 2017.

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has had discussions with her counterpart in Turkey on the future of the Turkish Businessperson visa established under the terms of the Ankara Agreement after the UK leaves the EU.

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government plans to continue to offer the Turkish Businessperson visa established under the terms of the Ankara Agreement after the UK leaves the EU.

Brandon Lewis: The Home Office statistics does not routinely publish statistics on those granted entry clearance to the UK under the Ankara Agreement. Information on the number of entry clearance visas granted since 2005 (grouped by nationality and category) can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/goverment/publications/immigration-statistics-april-to-june-2017/why-do-people-come-to-the-UK-2-to-workUK-Turkey agreements, and our future relationship, will be considered as part of the UK’s EU exit arrangements. We will of course consult closely with our Turkish counterparts before taking any decisions.

Seasonal Agricultural Workers' Scheme

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish the most recent review her Department has conducted on the reintroduction of the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme.

Brandon Lewis: The most recent review of the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme, published by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) in May 2013, is available in the House of Commons Library.The Government has recently commissioned the MAC to assess the impact of leaving the EU on the UK labour market. The MAC will report in September 2018 but may produce interim reports before then.

Asylum: Appeals

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average waiting time was between initial telephone contact being made with the Further Submissions Unit of her Department and an appointment being scheduled for the most recent period for which information is available.

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is the average waiting time to speak to an adviser from her Department's Further Submissions Unit by telephone in each of the last 12 months.

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether there is a limit on the number of appointments that can be made each day by her Department's Further Submissions Unit.

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many daily appointments were made on average by her Department's Further Submissions Unit in each of the last five years.

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applicants living in Scotland have been granted permission to submit their application to her Department's Further Submissions Unit via post in each of the last five years.

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been employed as telephone advisers at her Department's Further Submissions Unit in each of the last five years.

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been employed by her Department's Further Submissions Unit in each of the last five years.

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many daily telephone calls on average her Department's Further Submissions Unit has received in each of the last five years.

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what procedures are in place to ensure that her Department's Further Submissions Unit telephone helpline has sufficient capacity to answer calls.

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applicants living in Scotland have been refused permission to submit their applications to her Department's Further Submissions Unit via post in each of the last five years.

Brandon Lewis: The Home Office implemented a new policy on 30 March 2015 requiring all failed asylum seekers (FAS) whose appeal rights become exhausted but wish to make a further asylum submission, to do so in-person. This change was introduced to improve the handling and processing times of applications. Importantly the in person requirement allows the Home Office to check the identity of those lodging further submissions, reduce the risk of fraud and provides a means to ask questions during the appointment, where necessary, so that we can make a decision more quickly. FAS who want to submit further submissions on asylum or human rights grounds are required to telephone the further submissions unit and book an appointment to submit their further submissions in person in Liverpool. Lead in times and appointment availability can vary and emergency appointments are offered within a week for those individuals who meet the criteria. The Home Office has however, recently increased the number of appointments from 150 to 180 a week to reduce waiting times further [10800 & 108007]. The further submission appointments booking line is currently resourced to meet the existing demand and this remains under continuous review. The appointment booking line does not current have capability to record information on average waiting times for speaking with advisers and the information is not available in the format requested [108004 &108009]. The information requested on; number of applicants living in Scotland who have been refused (108005) and granted (108006) permission to submit their applications is not available in the format requested. The Home Office does not refuse or grant permission to submit further submissions. If an individual is eligible at the appointment booking stage, an in-person appointment will be offered. We will only accept postal applications in exceptional circumstances such as severe illness or disability, as specified within the published further submissions policy which can be accessed at the following: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/502334/Further_Submissions_API_v9_0_EXT.pdf The cost or inconvenience of travel are not acceptable reasons to waive the in- person requirement for further submissions to be lodged. Once an application has been lodged, the case will be decided by a Home Office caseworker [108005 & 108006]. The information requested on; number daily appointments [108008]; average number of calls [108010]; number of telephone advisers employed [108011]; and average number of people employed on the further submission unit [108012], in the last five years is not available in the format requested.

Refugees: Children

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how her Department's policy on unaccompanied child refugees is informed by the principle of putting children's best interests at the centre of all decision-making, as set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; and if she will make a statement.

Brandon Lewis: Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 requires the Home Office to ensure that its immigration, asylum, nationality and customs functions are discharged having regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children who are in the United Kingdom.This includes ensuring that the best interests of the child must be a primary consideration in every decision taken in respect of them. These arrangements are reflected in the Home Office’s rules, policy and guidance that relate to the handling of decisions made in respect of children.

Immigrants: Detainees

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to pay compensation to victims of torture who have been held in detention centres.

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to prevent people who have been victims of torture being held in detention centres.

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people identified as victims of torture are still being held in detention centres; and if she will make a statement.

Brandon Lewis: The adults at risk policy, which came into force on 12 September 2016, aims to improve the approach to identifying individuals who may be particularly vulnerable to harm in detention, based on the available evidence, with a clear presumption that they should not be detained. Victims of torture are amongst the groups of individuals who are protected by this policy. Each case is decided on its own merits, on the basis of the available evidence. Vulnerable individuals, including torture victims, are detained only when the immigration control factors – removability, public protection and compliance with immigration law – in their particular case outweigh the evidence of their vulnerability. Individuals are detained only when there is a realistic prospect of removal within a reasonable timeframe. There is no specific centrally recorded data on individuals who are currently being held in immigration removal centres, and who have been identified as victims of torture. Where individuals are found by the courts to have been detained unlawfully they may be awarded damages as part of those legal proceedings. It is for the courts to make decisions on these matters.

Cybercrime: Surveys

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what questions have been asked to participants in the National Cyber Security Tracker survey; and how frequently each of those questions are asked.

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much has been spent from the public purse on the National Cyber Security Tracker survey; and who administers that survey.

Mr Ben  Wallace: The National Cyber Security Tracker is a bi-annual online survey of approximately 4,000 consumers and 1,200 SMEs, designed to measure the adoption of safer cyber security behaviours.Survey questions focus on knowledge and experience of cybercrime, as well as brand awareness of the Cyber Aware campaign and broader cross-government initiatives, and adoption of key protective behaviours. Spend on the survey is less than four percent of the campaign budget, well within the Government Communications Service’s best practice guidelines.

Visas: Migrant Workers

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the (a) average and (b) longest waiting time was for non-straightforward Tier 5 visa applications in each quarter of the last five years.

Brandon Lewis: The published information on processing times for visa applications is published as part of the Migration Transparency data, available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-operations-transparency-data-august-2017

Visas: Overseas Students

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the (a) average and (b) longest waiting time was for non-straightforward Tier 4 visa applications in each quarter of each of the last five years.

Brandon Lewis: The published information on processing times for visa applications is published as part of the Migration Transparency data, available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-operations-transparency-data-august-2017

Airports: Immigration Controls

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average waiting time was at immigration control at the 10 busiest airports in the summer months of each of the last five years.

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average waiting times are at immigration control at the 10 busiest airports in the UK in peak morning and evening arrivals.

Brandon Lewis: The requested data can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/border-force-transparency-data-august-2017 If 95% or above of passenger wait times sampled are recorded as within the 25 minute (EEA) and 45 minute (non EEA) service standard, the service level is assessed as met, if less than 95%, then this is considered a breach of the service level. The most recent published data is for Q1 2017 and shows Border Force performance at 98.5%.

Passports

Cat Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information the Government holds on the number of people over the age of 18 who own a passport in each (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) local authority area in the UK.

Brandon Lewis: Her Majesty’s Passport Office would only record the address details of a UK passport holder at the point of application.It is, therefore, not possible to confirm how many individuals hold a UK passport in any parliamentary constituency or local authority area within the UK.

Police: Driving

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the terms of reference are for the review of police pursuits announced on 25 September 2017; what the timescale for that review is; and whether there will be a call for evidence in respect of that reivew.

Mr Nick Hurd: The review will be completed as soon as possible and we will consult widely with partners.

Mental Illness

Oliver Dowden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of how effectively her Department's agencies, the police and the NHS work together to support victims, patients and families with mental health issues.

Sarah Newton: The Government has worked with the police and their partners to improve the support to people with mental health needs.Latest figures on the use of section 136 of the Mental Health Act indicate that police stations were used as a place of safety on 2,100 occasions in 2015/16, a 54% reduction on the previous year, and the Government has also allocated up to £30m in funding to local areas to improve places of safety provision and ensure that people in mental health crisis are not detained in police stations.Liaison and Diversion (L&D) schemes have been rolled out in police custody suites and courts to ensure that those coming into contact with the criminal justice system who have mental health issues are identified and referred to appropriate assessment and support services. Such schemes currently cover over 68% of the population of England and are expected to reach 82% by April 2018. Street triage schemes, which involve collaborative working and information exchange between police officers and mental health professionals, are operating in over 30 forces. These have been found to provide a more appropriate response to those in mental health crisis.Home Office and Department of Health Ministers chair the National Steering Group on the Crisis Care Concordat, comprising a wide range of national organisations and service users. This monitors work undertaken across the country by local Crisis Care Concordat Partnerships in responding to those in mental health crisis.However, there remains more to do and the Government announced on 4 October an independent review of the Mental Health Act to ensure that people with mental health problems receive the treatment and support they need when they need it. people with mental health problems receive the treatment and support they need, when they need it. people with mental health problems receive the treatment and support they need, when they need it. people with mental health problems receive the treatment and support they need, when they need it.

Prostitution: Criminal Records

Carolyn Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of erasing prostitution-specific criminal records.

Sarah Newton: The issue of erasing prostitution-specific criminal records was raised in the Home Affairs Select Committee report on prostitution. However, as set out in the Government response, we believe that a greater understanding of the prevalence and nature of prostitution in England and Wales is required prior to considering further changes to policy and legislation. The Home Office has committed £150,000 to commission this research.

Immigration: Scotland

Joanna  Cherry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people in Scotland were granted permanent residence and settlement in (a) 2012, (b) 2013, (c) 2014, (d) 2015 and (e) 2016.

Brandon Lewis: The available information published on the total number of permanent residence documents issued and grants of settlement is published in the Home Office’s Immigration Statistics, April – June 2017, European Economic Area (EEA) table ee_02 and Settlement table se_02 available from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-april-to-june-2017/list-of-tables

Terrorism

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what type of intelligence is held by officials when her Department reports that the perpetrators of terrorist acts are known to the authorities.

Mr Ben  Wallace: It is the longstanding policy of the British Government not to comment on intelligence matters.

Immigration Controls

Sir Vince Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on waiting times at passport control for passengers entering the UK from EU Member States.

Brandon Lewis: We are considering a range of options for the UK’s future immigration system and will be outlining further details of the new system later in the year.Government departments are working together across a range of complex issues to develop our future approach at the border. These options will be kept under review in light of negotiations with the EU.We actively monitor workflows at the border to ensure sufficient resources are in place to meet demand and will continue to do so throughout negotiations and as the UK leaves the EU.

Scotland Office

High Speed 2 Railway Line: East Coast Railway Line

John Lamont: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what estimate the Government has made of the number of new trains planned to operate on the East Coast mainline between Edinburgh and London as a result of High Speed 2.

David Mundell: The business case for High Speed 2 assumes two HS2 trains per hour between London and Scotland for 16 hours per day, providing a total of 34,000 seats between London-Glasgow and London-Edinburgh on HS2 (splitting or joining at Carstairs) in both directions each day. These trains will use the West Coast Main Line and HS2 Western Leg, rather than the East Coast Main Line. There will, however, be a connection onto the East Coast Main Line at Church Fenton allowing HS2 trains to connect London and the West Midlands to York and the North East. Final decisions on the train service will be made closer to the opening of HS2.

Food Banks: Scotland

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he plans to visit a food bank in November 2017.

David Mundell: I currently have no plans to visit a food bank in my capacity as Secretary of State for Scotland in November 2017.

HM Treasury

Child Benefit: Repayments

Lesley Laird: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the process is for people to repay outstanding high income child benefit charge amounts; and over what period of time that facility is made available to those people.

Lesley Laird: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps HM Revenue and Customs has taken to advise taxpayers with high incomes of the high income child benefit charge since 2012.

Lesley Laird: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the average (a) annual and (b) total amount people have been required to repay after failing to register for a self-assessment for the high income child benefit charge.

Lesley Laird: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether interest is charged on the high income child benefit charge penalty where that charge is being appealed against.

Lesley Laird: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether interest is charged on the high income child benefit repayments from the date at which people are notified that they need to be registered for self-assessment to make such repayments.

Lesley Laird: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether frontline call-centre staff have received training on the high income child benefit charge and repayment schedules.

Lesley Laird: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people required to register for self-assessment to make high income child benefit charge repayments have failed to do so in each year since 2012-13; and how many of those people have been advised by HM Revenue and Customs that they were required to repay a proportion of child benefit they have received since 2012.

Lesley Laird: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people have been required to register for self-assessment to make high income child benefit charge repayments in each year since 2012-13; and how many of those people have been affected by the introduction of that charge in each of those years.

Lesley Laird: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many taxpayers his Department has notified of their need to register for self-assessment as a result of their liability for the high income child benefit charge for each year since that charge was introduced.

Mel Stride: The High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) was introduced in January 2013. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) took considerable steps to raise awareness and ran extensive communications campaigns when the tax charge was introduced. This included writing to around 800,000 families affected by the charge when it was launched. HMRC also ran a high profile advertising and media campaign over summer 2013 to prompt those who did not stop their payments to register for Self-Assessment in order to declare and pay the charge. HMRC continues to make information on the HICBC widely available, and include it in the packs for new parents telling them how to claim Child Benefit. HMRC also give guidance online on Gov.uk. Individuals who are not in Self-Assessment and are liable for the charge should tell HMRC they are chargeable within 6 months of the end of the tax year. If they do not notify HMRC within 6 months, they should contact HMRC at the earliest opportunity. A penalty may be charged where someone fails to notify HMRC on time. For those who do not, HMRC uses existing compliance processes and penalties. The rules on interest charged for late payment of the HICBC are the same as those applied to other taxes and duties. Interest is charged from the due and payable date of the tax. HMRC charges interest on penalties for failure to notify liability to tax which are being appealed against. HMRC charges interest where the penalty is paid late and will pay interest to the individual if the penalty is reduced or withdrawn. HMRC Call Centre staff have been provided with guidance on HICBC since HICBC was introduced. All call centre guidance is reviewed and updated regularly. HMRC do not have data on the number of taxpayers who have failed to tell HMRC about their liability for HICBC, or the total number who have been required to register for SA each year since the charge was introduced.

Border Planning Group

Charlie Elphicke: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, which other Government Department contributes to the Borders Planning Group.

Mel Stride: The Border Planning Group is a cross-Whitehall group of senior officials set up by Permanent Secretaries. It is chaired by Permanent Secretaries and includes senior level (Director General and Director level) civil servants from all relevant Departments with responsibility for border related activities or policy.

Public Expenditure: Scotland

John Lamont: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the Total Managed Expenditure of the Scottish Government has been in each year since 2010.

Elizabeth Truss: The table below shows total Scottish Government expenditure from 2010-11 to 2016-17, from the HM Treasury ‘Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses’ publication. £mScottish Government1   2010-1131,701  2011-1230,789  2012-1330,858  2013-1431,354  2014-1533,206  2015-1633,421  2016-1733,894  Source: Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA)  1Total Scottish Government expenditure is from table 1.12 of PESA. This shows Resource DEL excluding depreciation plus capital DEL plus resource and capital departmental AME. This therefore excludes spending financed by Scottish non-domestic rates.

Revenue and Customs: Travel

Jon Trickett: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to HM Revenue and Customs Senior Officials' travel return list of 1 January to 31 March 2017, published on 17 October 2017, what journeys the eight 1st class/mixed bookings in cell 88 of the spreadsheet refer to.

Mel Stride: Cell 88 of HM Revenue and Customs Senior Officials’ Travel Report for the period 1 January to 31 March 2017 refers to eight rail bookings made by Senior Civil Servants travelling on official business between London, and Stafford, York, Durham, Southend, Newcastle, and Wolverhampton (via Birmingham and Telford).

Remittances

Dr David Drew: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the amount of migrant remittances sent from the UK and the countries to which those remittances have been sent.

Stephen Barclay: The Treasury does not hold data on the annual flow of remittances sent from the UK to other countries. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) produces data on UK transfers, which includes estimates for remittances alongside estimates for net transfers from UK charities, defined in the UK Balance of Payments (the Pink Book) as ‘other payments by households’. Data for ‘other payments by households’ is available on an annual basis. The 2016 Edition of the Pink Book estimated ‘other payments by households’ at £6.46 billion. (https://www.ons.gov.uk/releases/unitedkingdombalanceofpaymentsthepinkbook2016)

Children: Day Care

Angela Rayner: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many and what proportion of parents in receipt of childcare vouchers (a) will and (b) will not be eligible for tax-free childcare.

Angela Rayner: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many parents are in receipt of childcare vouchers.

Elizabeth Truss: In response to the question about the number of parents in receipt of childcare vouchers, I refer the honourable member to my response to Parliamentary Questions 105844, 106406, 106307 and 106408 on 16 October. Everyone who earns at least £120 per week on average, but doesn’t exceed the upper income limit of £100,000 per annum can apply for Tax-Free Childcare, which is fairer and better targeted than vouchers.

Small Businesses: Customs

Caroline Lucas: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what support the Government is planning to provide to small and medium-sized enterprises who face additional customs procedures after the UK has left the Customs Union.

Mel Stride: Ensuring that UK-EU trade is as frictionless as possible is one of the Government’s objectives for our future customs relationship with the EU. In the Future Customs Arrangements: A Future Partnership paper and the Customs Bill White Paper, the Government set out two broad approaches for achieving this objective: a highly streamlined customs arrangement or a new customs partnership. However, the precise nature of our future customs relationship with the EU will be a matter for the negotiations The Government is engaging with businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises, in every sector and region of the UK economy to understand the challenges and what may impact them in future. HMRC will support businesses with the necessary education and guidance structures to be ready for future trade with the EU.

Mersey Gateway Bridge

Mike Amesbury: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether funding for the Mersey Gateway Bridge is included in the responsibilities of the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

Elizabeth Truss: The Chief Secretary to the Treasury is responsible for public expenditure, including transport and infrastructure spending. The Secretary of State for Transport is responsible for assessing the business cases of transport schemes, including the Mersey Gateway Bridge. Once assessed, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury is responsible for the approval of funding of transport schemes, which includes the Mersey Gateway Bridge.

Welfare Tax Credits: Telephone Services

Gordon Marsden: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to switch HM Revenue and Customs's tax credit hotline to a freephone number.

Mel Stride: In 2014, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) moved from 08 numbers to 03 numbers, which are often free in people’s phone packages. In addition, HMRC has introduced a number of online services, including webchat, which are proving very popular. They enable millions of tax credit customers to connect with the department at no cost, and at a time that is convenient for them, without the need to call.‎

Children: Day Care

Tracy Brabin: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many self-employed people received an eligibility code for 30 hours of free childcare.

Elizabeth Truss: As of 21 October, 14% of parents who are currently eligible for 30 hours free childcare are self-employed or have a partner who is self-employed.

Equitable Life Assurance Society: Compensation

Tim Farron: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will review the value of the Equitable Life contingency fund.

Stephen Barclay: Up to £1.5bn has already been allocated to the Equitable Life Payment Scheme to pay to policyholders. There are no plans to allocate further funds to it.

Pool Re: Terrorism

Neil Coyle: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when his Department was first notified of the need to update Pool Reinsurance to cover knife, vehicle and cyber terrorism; and what the timetable is for its reform.

Stephen Barclay: The Reinsurance (Acts of Terrorism) Act 1993 established the government-backed terrorism reinsurer, Pool Reinsurance. The scheme reinsures against business losses caused by physical damage after an act of terrorism, in recognition of the specific challenges in relation to a lack of insurance for industrial and commercial property at that time. It was not designed to cover personal injury claims, such as those caused by a knife or vehicle attack, or non-physical damage, such as data theft. Within the remit of providing this type of reinsurance, the scheme was recently amended to remove the cyber exclusion. This means that physical damage caused remotely, e.g. by a “cyber trigger”, is included in the scope of cover. This change will come into effect on 1 April 2018. The government is in regular discussion with the insurance industry, Pool Re and other interested parties to make sure that the Reinsurance Act 1993 continues to enable appropriate terrorism cover to be available for businesses.I have also met the hon Member to discuss this.

Cabinet Office

Sikhs: Equality

Preet Gill: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any public bodies covered by the Race Disparity Audit have collected information on Sikhs as a legally recognised ethnic group since 1983; and what plans he has to fill any gaps in that data.

Damian Green: Public bodies collect data on Sikhs as a religious group, for example through the Census. The Office of National Statistics are currently evaluating the effect of including a Sikh ‘tick box’ within the ethnic group question for Census 2021. The ONS findings will be published in autumn 2017. The Race Disparity Audit collected data from Government Departments recorded by ethnicity. No data was collated about Sikhs as part of the Audit.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

5G

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, on what the £740 million 5G research and infrastructure fund announced in the 2016 Autumn Statement has been spent.

Matt Hancock: At Autumn Statement 2016, the Government announced a a £1.1bn package to boost the UK’s digital infrastructure. This sum is intended to cover all future connectivity technologies and cover work in this area until 2020-21. This included investment in a nationally coordinated programme of full fibre and 5G Testbed & Trials.To date, the Government has invested £16 million for three leading 5G research institutions to establish a test network to test and trial 5G technologies and applications. This week, a £25 million competition was announced to select projects for initial funding as part of the first Phase of the Testbeds & Trials Programme.For the Local Full Fibre (LFFN) Programme, the Government announced in September that £10 million has been allocated for 6 full fibre test projects around the country, in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, West Sussex, Coventry and Warwickshire, Bristol (with Bath and North East Somerset), West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester. Further measures will be set out in due course.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Redundancy Pay

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 16 October 2017 to Question 105517, on Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: redundancy pay, what the total amount was that was paid to (a) men and (b) women.

Matt Hancock: For exit payments in 2016-17, £151,325.36 was paid to women and £110,906.82 was paid to men.

Cybercrime

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many registered consultancies of the Government's Cyber Essentials scheme had data exposed due to a configuration error in the Pervade Software platform.

Matt Hancock: A configuration error in the Pervade Software platform used by an external third party led to system logs from companies, including assessors of and applicants to the Cyber Essentials scheme, being exposed, though there has been no evidence to suggest data was extracted.

Cybercrime

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will place in the Library guidance issued to registered consultancies of the Government's Cyber Essentials scheme whose data was exposed due to a configuration error in the Pervade Software platform.

Matt Hancock: A configuration error in the Pervade Software platform used by an external third party led to system logs containing 801 email addresses, user names, company name, and IP addresses from 800 companies, including assessors of and applicants to the Cyber Essentials scheme, being exposed. There has been no evidence to suggest this data was extracted. The Cyber Essential Scheme's operation has not been adversely affected. The most up to date guidance explaining what to do following a data breach is published on the NCSC website.

Broadcasting

Brendan O'Hara: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the contribution of the UK's programme making and special events sector to the economy.

Brendan O'Hara: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has estimated the economic cost to the entertainment sector after programme making and special events sector users no longer have access to the 700 MHz radio spectrum accounting for the funding proposed for that sector by Ofcom.

Brendan O'Hara: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the effect on the live entertainment sector in terms of production value and economic cost as a result of the decision to clear the 700 MHz radio spectrum band.

Matt Hancock: We recognise the importance of the Programme Makers and Special Events industry to the entertainment sector and the wider UK economy. We will be providing Government funded support to the PMSE industry through the 700MHz spectrum clearance programme, aimed at mitigating the impacts on the industry and enabling them to continue to provide high quality services to the entertainment industry after spectrum clearance. Following Ofcom advice to Government, Ofcom consulted on a Help Scheme to provide support to the industry. We are awaiting Ofcom’s assessment of responses to this consultation and a decision on the level of support will be made once this has been taken into account. To further mitigate impacts on the industry, and provide the possibility for future growth, Ofcom has also decided to allocate frequencies in the 960-1164MHz band for PMSE.

Radio Frequencies: Auctions

Brendan O'Hara: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate her Department has made of the revenue that will be generated through the auction of the 700 MHz band of radio spectrum.

Matt Hancock: We do not make any estimation on revenue from any spectrum auction.

Mobile Broadband

Brendan O'Hara: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what the reason was for the decision to restrict the Programme Making and Special Events funding scheme to the residual value of equipment.

Brendan O'Hara: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions her Department has had with Ofcom on the non-equipment costs to businesses in the Programme Making and Special Events sector as a result of the clearance of the 700 MHz band.

Matt Hancock: Ofcom consulted on a Help Scheme for Programme Makers and Special Events earlier this year. Government is awaiting Ofcom’s assessment of responses to that consultation, with a final decision on the Help scheme yet to be taken.

Broadband

Royston Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, which parts of the UK have the (a) fastest and (b) slowest broadband speeds.

Matt Hancock: The Department does not hold information on broadband speed as a constituency average. Currently in the hon member's constituency, according to Thinkbroadband, 94.3% of premises have access to Superfast coverage.Information on Superfast coverage is available from third party sites like Think Broadband (http://labs.thinkbroadband.com/local/uk).

Broadband

Royston Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how the Government holds to account broadband providers that fail to meet their agreed commitments.

Matt Hancock: We are supporting investment in superfast and basic broadband through the Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) Programme. BDUK has a comprehensive project assurance system in place and Government funding is only committed when a contract is fit for purpose. All contracts are proactively managed through the BDUK Programme and, if necessary, robust contractual mechanisms can be applied if contractual commitments are not met.

Gambling: Video Games

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 16 October 2017 to Question 106042, what discussions she has had with her Cabinet colleagues on adopting protections against illegal and in-game gambling and loot boxes.

Tracey Crouch: There are strong protections in place against operators of illegal gambling facilities, including within video games. All operators providing gambling services to consumers in Britain require a licence from the Gambling Commission and must adhere to strict requirements for the protection of children and the vulnerable. The Gambling Commission has also commissioned the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board to examine the wider relationship between children and gambling.In addition, consumers are protected by the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. This includes a requirement on businesses not to subject anyone to misleading or aggressive marketing practices, or, for example, direct exhortation to buy products, such as games content, including in-game purchases such as loot boxes. The government is committed to ensuring that consumers are properly protected and that children’s vulnerability and inexperience is not exploited by aggressive commercial practices.The government’s Internet Safety Strategy sets out how the government will work with online platforms, game publishers and game developers, and with agencies such as the VSC Rating Board, to continue to improve online safety in games.The government recognises the risks that come from increasing convergence between gambling and video games. The Gambling Commission is keeping this matter under review and will continue to monitor developments in the market.

Gaming Machines: Glasgow East

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an estimate of the amount spent each year on fixed-odds betting terminals in Glasgow East constituency.

Tracey Crouch: Neither the Department nor the Gambling Commission hold information concerning the number of Fixed-Odds Betting Terminals and, therefore spend in individual constituencies.

House of Commons Commission

Parliamentary Estate: Vending Machines

Keith Vaz: To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many vending machines there are on the parliamentary estate; and what proportion of the items in those machines have (a) low or no and (b) high sugar content.

Tom Brake: The House of Commons has ten vending machines provided by an external contractor:4 hot beverage machines6 chilled snack and cold beverage machinesIn the majority of the chilled snack and cold beverage machines, out of 16 drinks items approximately 80% are lower sugar items; and out of 22 snack items approximately 50% are lower sugar items. It is more difficult to quantify for the products in the hot beverage machines, because the raw coffee or tea product can be turned into multiple finished products and purchasers can add sugar. However, based on the raw product alone, the hot beverage machines have a minimum of 66% low or no sugar products.

Department of Health

Mental Health Services

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the comparative capacity and caseload weight of special community mental health services in 2012-13 and 2016-17.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Information on the capacity and caseload weight of special community mental health services is not held centrally.

Cosmetics: Prescriptions

Bambos Charalambous: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he plans to bring forward legislation to make all dermal fillers prescription-only products.

Steve Brine: Currently, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency only regulates dermal fillers that are placed on the United Kingdom market as medical devices, as defined in the Medical Devices Regulations 2002. The majority of these products are intended to be used in reconstructive surgery, and thus they are considered to be medical devices, although some manufacturers also indicate their products for aesthetic use as well. Cosmetic dermal fillers placed on the market without any medical purpose being attributed to them by the manufacturer fall outside the scope of the Medical Devices Regulations, although in practice the majority of the products on the UK market are CE marked as medical devices. Under new European Union legislation concerning medical devices, published earlier this year, all dermal fillers will be regulated as medical devices, irrespective of whether or not the manufacturer ascribes a medical purpose to the product. Medical devices cannot be designated as “prescription only”, as this term only applies to medicinal products. The Government currently has no plans to introduce such a category for medical devices.

Maternity Services: Staff

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that maternity units deliver full cover and staff at weekends.

Mr Philip Dunne: Configuration of services is a matter for the local National Health Service, but it is important for providers to ensure that the maternity workforce has the right skills to provide high quality maternity care at all times. Local trusts need to look carefully at the mix of their patient load, risk profile and staffing to decide the appropriate consultant presence for their particular unit. We have committed to ensure that by 2020, seven days a week there is sufficient consultant cover to assess and review patients who are admitted in an emergency (including specifically in obstetrics and pediatrics), access to all urgent diagnostic tests and consultant cover for key interventions. At the request of the Department and NHS England, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published guidelines in February 2015 on safe midwifery staffing in units led by midwives (both alongside hospitals and free-standing), and all other maternity settings, including at home, in the community, in day assessment units, and in obstetric units. It aims to improve maternity care by giving advice on monitoring staffing levels and actions to take if there are not enough midwives to meet the needs of women and babies in the service. The full NICE guidance is available at:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng4The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) produced guidance on implementing the NICE staffing guideline on midwifery staffing in maternity settings in November 2016. The purpose of this guidance is to assist Directors of Midwifery, Heads of Midwifery, and other senior midwives, as well as general and division managers, in implementing the safe staffing guidelines for midwives in maternity settings. The full RCM guidance is available at:https://www.rcm.org.uk/sites/default/files/RCM%20Guidance%20on%20Implementing%20NICE%20Safe%20Staffing_Digital_0.pdf

Sepsis: Medical Treatments

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent steps his Department has taken to ensure improved treatment in cases of sepsis in hospitals.

Mr Philip Dunne: On 13 September 2017, NHS England published two key documents to support improved treatment in cases of sepsis in hospitals:- The second ‘Cross-system Sepsis Action Plan’ outlines the activities and outputs of the Cross-System Sepsis Programme Board over the next 12 months; and- The ‘Sepsis guidance implementation advice for adults’ will further support frontline staff in the practical implementation of the 2016 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline on the recognition, management and early diagnosis of sepsis. Also in September 2017, NICE published a Quality Standard to identify further quality improvement areas for the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis. Furthermore, through the national Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) scheme, NHS England has made significant improvements in screening and timely treatment of patients with sepsis. The Government’s ambition to halve healthcare associated Gram-negative bloodstream infections (BSIs) by 2020/21 will also contribute to reductions in sepsis, as patients with Gram-negative BSIs may go on to develop sepsis. In June 2017, the National Quality Board endorsed the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) for use in the acute sector and ambulance services. NEWS provides an appropriate framework for measuring key physiological variables (temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, level of consciousness, oxygen saturation, blood pressure) and for risk stratification in adults in acute care, including patients with sepsis.

Electronic Cigarettes: Heart Diseases

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions his Department has had with clinical bodies on the potential connection between e-cigarette use and heart disease.

Steve Brine: The Government engages with various clinical bodies to discuss a range of tobacco control issues, including tobacco harm reduction. The Department has made a commitment to monitor the impact of regulation and policy on e-cigarettes and novel tobacco products in England, including evidence on safety, uptake, health impact and effectiveness of these products as smoking cessation aids, to inform our actions on regulating their use. Public Health England will update their evidence report to the Department on e-cigarettes and other novel nicotine delivery systems annually until the end of the Parliament in 2022.

Alzheimer's Disease

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in each of the last five years.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Information is not available in the format requested.

Abscesses

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people have been diagnosed with leg ulcers in the UK in each of the last five years.

Mr Philip Dunne: Data is not held centrally for individuals that have been diagnosed with leg ulcers in the United Kingdom. Data is available on the count of finished admission episodes (FAEs) with a primary diagnosis of ulcers of the lower limb and lower extremities, for patients in England. YearFAEs2012-1315,1302013-1417,1562014-1517,6672015-1619,7372016-1719,484 Activity in English National Health Service Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sectorSource: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), NHS Digital Notes:1. FAEAn FAE is the first period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year or month in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the period. 2. Primary diagnosisThe primary diagnosis is the first of up to 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and seven prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the HES data set and provides the main reason why the patient was admitted to hospital. 3. ICD10 Codes The following ICD10 codes were used to identify ulcers of the lower limb and lower extremities:L97.X Ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classifiedI83.0 Varicose veins of lower extremities with ulcerI83.2 Varicose veins of lower extremities with both ulcer and inflammation 4. Assessing growth through time (Admitted patient care)HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, apparent reductions in activity may be due to a number of procedures which may now be undertaken in outpatient settings and so no longer include in admitted patient HES data. Conversely, apparent increases in activity may be due to improved recording of diagnosis or procedure information.It should be noted that HES include activity ending in the year in question and run from April to March, e.g. 2015-16 includes activity ending between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2016.

Abscesses: Medical Treatments

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when laser treatment for people with leg ulcers will be available on the NHS.

Steve Brine: In England it is for local National Health Service commissioners to make decisions on whether to fund new treatments; taking into account National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance, available evidence and individual clinical circumstances. The future availability of any new treatments would be subject to appropriate clinical trials demonstrating the safety and efficacy of the treatment approach and subsequent assessments of its cost effectiveness for routine use.

Quinine: Heart Diseases

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions his Department has had with clinical bodies on the potential connection between quinine and heart risk.

Steve Brine: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) continuously monitors the safety of all medicines on the market in the United Kingdom and seeks independent expert advice from the Commission on Human Medicines on important new safety issues. Quinine can be an effective medicine for the treatment and prevention of severe nocturnal leg cramps in adults. Quinine is also used to treat malaria. Quinine tablets are only available on prescription from a doctor. It has been known for many years that quinine can affect the electrical activity of the heart, particularly in high doses or when it is given in combination with other medicines affecting the heart or to patients with existing heart problems. A recently completed routine periodic review of quinine considered two recent studies that reported a small increased risk of death in patients taking quinine for leg cramps or restless legs syndrome. Although the studies were associated with limitations, the product information (including patient information leaflet) is currently being updated to contain additional warnings to support informed decision-making between healthcare professionals and their patients. The updated information will also be communicated to healthcare professionals in November.

Streptococcus

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people have been diagnosed with Group B strep in the UK in each of the last five years.

Steve Brine: Public Health England does not hold data on how many people were diagnosed each year with group B streptococcus colonisation. Surveillance data collected from routine laboratory reporting outlining the numbers of patient episodes with group B streptococcus identified from blood (bacteraemia) in people of all ages in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for years 2011- 2015 can be found in the following table: YearArea20112012201320142015England, Wales and Northern Ireland1,6241,5761,5921,7521,870 Source: Health Protection Report

Multiple sclerosis: Stem cells

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions his Department has had with clinical bodies on assistance with stem-cell therapy for people with MS.

Steve Brine: A form of stem-cell therapy “autologous haematopoietic stem cell therapy” is available on the National Health Service. It is a very aggressive treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). It is available on the NHS in two centres in the United Kingdom: one in Sheffield and one in London. Further information can be found at the following link:www.sth.nhs.uk/autologous-haematopoietic-stem-cell-transplantation-for-multiple-sclerosis/In 2016, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), announced that it has been notified of the procedure “autologous un-manipulated peripheral blood stem cell therapy” for MS and consider it a part of the Institute’s work programme. The procedure is not currently being used outside of a research environment. The full NICE guidance for the diagnosis and management of MS can be found via the following link:www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg186

Department of Health: Procurement

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many companies supplying goods and services to his Department, or contracted to deliver services on behalf of his Department, have been identified as avoiding their tax liabilities in the UK.

Mr Philip Dunne: Procurement rules require the Department to exclude any supplier for non payment of taxes if the breach is established by a court ruling. Information is not held centrally on prosecutions or convictions in relation to the payment of taxes by companies currently supplying goods and services under contracts to the Department. On 8 February 2017, Cabinet Office and Crown Commercial Service published Procurement Policy Note 8/16: Standard Selection Questionnaire (SQ). The Department uses this SQ to gather information on and make assessments of prospective bidders' credentials, before considering tenders. This includes questions to gather information about companies' track records including declarations around payment of taxes.

NHS Protect

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what body has taken responsibility for the security functions previously undertaken by NHS Protect.

Mr Philip Dunne: Security management functions previously undertaken by NHS Protect are carried out locally. NHS Protect’s role, completed by April this year, was to provide guidance1 to assist National Health Service organisations in identifying and mitigating risks to the safety of staff, patients and others on their premises. NHS organisations have directors responsible for security management and access to local security management specialists to help develop and implement their local strategies. These are supported by appropriate policies, procedures, security measures and training for staff in reducing the likelihood of and dealing with attacks and abuse. Note:1https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/crime-prevention/guidance

Prescription Drugs

Royston Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the Answer of 21 November 2016 to Question 52567, on prescription drugs, what further steps have been taken to reduce the amount of unused prescription medication; and what the cost to the public purse was of those steps.

Steve Brine: The approach NHS England is taking in respect of medicines optimisation is outlined in the document Next Steps on the Five Year Forward View, published in March this year. This sets out that four Regional Medicines Optimisation Committees (RMOCs) will coordinate the pursuit of medicines optimisation opportunities, including in care homes, multiple prescribing, use of generics and biosimilars, and reducing medicines wastage. The RMOCs became operational in April and activity for each RMOC currently focuses on priorities identified for delivery through the Medicines Optimisation workstream of NHS England's Medicines Value Programme. The Department does not collect information on the costs of the steps being taken. This is part of NHS England’s overall budget for the National Health Service. However, we understand the cost to the public purse of establishing the RMOCs has been minimal and has, to date, been primarily associated with their set up. It is vital that patients get the best outcomes from their medicines, waste is reduced and taxpayers get the best value from the use of medicines in the NHS.

Prescription Drugs

Royston Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of medication being administered when required for patients rather than automatically dispensing repeat prescriptions.

Steve Brine: The Department has not made an assessment on the potential merits of medication being administered when required for patients rather than automatically dispensing repeat prescriptions. The approach NHS England is taking in respect of medicines optimisation is outlined in the document Next Steps on the Five Year Forward View, published in March this year. This sets out that four Regional Medicines Optimisation Committees (RMOCs) will coordinate the pursuit of medicines optimisation opportunities, including in care homes, multiple prescribing, use of generics and biosimilars, and reducing medicines wastage. The RMOCs became operational in April and activity for each RMOC currently focuses on priorities identified for delivery through the Medicines Optimisation workstream of NHS England's Medicines Value Programme.

Transplant Surgery: Stem Cells

Mike Hill: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will discuss with NHS England undertaking an urgent review into the commissioning of post-stem cell transplant services.

Jackie Doyle-Price: NHS England is responsible for commissioning and funding the transplant related care which takes place 30 days before transplant and continues until 100 days post-transplant. After 100 days post-transplant, commissioning responsibility for the routine follow-up of patients switches from NHS England to clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), as outlined in the Manual. The Manual describes which elements of specialised services are commissioned by NHS England and which are commissioned by CCGs:https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/prescribed-specialised-services-manual-2.pdfIn the event that transplant patients experience serious complications post-transplant, elements of their care would likely continue to be planned, organised and funded by NHS England specialised commissioning. For example, if a patient requires Extracorporeal Photophersis which is a treatment for acute and chronic graft versus host disease following transplantation, NHS England commissions this care post-transplant. There are no current plans to review the responsibilities of services commissioned by NHS England and CCGs for blood and marrow transplants (BMT). NHS England will be assessing BMT in more detail over the next 18 months and will take the opportunity to further support improved pathway planning and commissioning of services that it and CCGs fund. NHS England’s work in supporting the roll out of the Recovery Package for cancer patients, including those who received BMT, helps ensure patients have more personal care and support from the point they are diagnosed and once treatment ends. For patients this means working with their care team to develop a comprehensive plan outlining not only their physical needs, but also additional support, such as help at home or financial advice. By 2020 NHS England wants all cancer patients to have access to the Recovery Package.

Motor Neurone Disease

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans his Department has to assess the (a) clinical benefit and (b) value for money of Endaravone in extending the lifespan of people with motor neurone disease.

Steve Brine: We have assumed the Hon. Member is referring to edaravone (Radicava). Edaravone is not currently licensed or under assessment within the European Union for any indication and the Department therefore has no such plans. If the manufacturer seeks a marketing authorisation for edaravone in the United Kingdom or EU, it will be assessed for safety, efficacy and quality through the established licensing process and then considered through the topic selection process for possible assessment of clinical and cost effectiveness by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Where a drug or treatment has not been appraised by NICE, funding decisions should be made by the relevant National Health Service commissioner, based on an assessment of the available evidence and on the basis of an individual patient’s clinical circumstances.

Department of Health: Vending Machines

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many vending machines there are on his departmental estate; and what proportion of the items in those machines have (a) low or no and (b) high sugar content.

Mr Philip Dunne: There are two stocked vending machines on the Department’s estate, one selling food and the other selling cold drinks. The number and proportions of low or no and high sugar content items is shown in the table below.Vending Machine TypeTotal ItemsProportion with low or no sugar contentProportion with high sugar contentFood2025%75%Cold Beverages785%15%

Health Services: Reciprocal Arrangements

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the (a) income reclaimed from other EU member states and (b) cost of treating other EU nationals under the European Health Insurance Card scheme in each of the last five years.

Mr Philip Dunne: Under European Union Regulations, other European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Switzerland reimburse the United Kingdom for the cost of the National Health Service providing treatment to people they are responsible for under EU law, including UK nationals insured in another EEA country or Switzerland. In the same way, the UK Government reimburses other EEA countries and Switzerland for the cost of providing treatment to people we are responsible for under EU law, irrespective of nationality. It is not possible to separate out claims to the UK from other EEA countries solely linked to European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) usage. Claims to and by the UK, for treatment relating to EHICs, are included in a larger category which also includes pre-authorised planned treatments and coverage for posted and frontier workers. Member States, including the UK, can submit claims up to 18 months in arrears so claims for any 12 month period do not necessarily reflect treatment provided in that period. Requested figures are provided in the attached document rounded to the nearest pound.



PQ108442 attached table
(Excel SpreadSheet, 27.1 KB)

Care Homes

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of people currently in hospital waiting to be discharged to care homes when places become available; and what steps he is taking to reduce that waiting period.

Jackie Doyle-Price: This information is not held in the format requested. Information is collected on the number of bed days occupied by patients waiting to be discharged from hospital. The latest available information estimates that, on an average day in August, 1,574 beds were occupied by patients waiting to be discharged to nursing or residential care homes. This Government is clear that no-one should stay in a hospital bed longer than necessary as it removes people’s dignity, reduces their quality of life and can lead to poorer health and care outcomes. This Government has provided an additional £2 billion of funding to be spent on meeting adult social care needs generally; to stabilise the social care market and to reduce pressures on the National Health Service, including delayed transfers of care.

HIV Infection: Drugs

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 18 October 2017 to Question 106952, in what format the data requested on the uptake of HIV medicines across England is available; and if he will place that data in the Library.

Steve Brine: Data on the uptake of HIV medicine across England are available at national, Public Health England (PHE) region and PHE centre level. The data are available here:www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hiv-annual-data-tables

Primary Health Care

Sir Vince Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will provide a list of which (a) regions and (b) clinical commissioning groups provide an 8am to 8pm primary care service to patients.

Steve Brine: There is no requirement for general practice to deliver an 8am to 8pm service. As set out in the General Practice Forward View published in April 2016, NHS England is providing additional funding “to enable CCGs to commission and fund extra capacity across England to ensure that by 2020, everyone has access to GP services, including sufficient routine appointments at evenings and weekends to meet locally determined demand, alongside effective access to out of hours and urgent care services.” The Government has committed to 100% of the population being able to access general practitioner appointments in the evenings and weekends to meet locally determined demand by April 2019. A list of current regions and clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) delivering 8am to 8pm services is not routinely held centrally by NHS England. However, data was collected in April 2017 and at this point 59 CCGs were delivering an 8am to 8pm service. A list of these is attached.



PQ108925 attached doc.
(Word Document, 21.09 KB)

Sodium Valproate: Prescriptions

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information is currently held by NHS England on prescribing rates of sodium valproate to women and girls of childbearing age in each clinical commissioning group; and if he will make it his policy to routinely publish this data.

Steve Brine: The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) holds prescribing data which includes patient level data containing National Health Service number, age and date of birth of a patient enabling the ability to report figures of sodium valproate for women and girls of childbearing age. NHSBSA provides NHS stakeholders with prescribing volumes, trend and cost analysis based on prescribing by general practitioners and other prescribers that was dispensed in the community. Data, split by clinical commissioning group, on the volumes of prescriptions and patient numbers has been previously published via the NHS England website.https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/prescribing-for-sodium-valproate/We are exploring how this data might be updated in the future.

Women and Equalities

Females: Directors

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking to meet the Government's target of women making up 33 per cent of FTSE 350 boards by 2020.

Anne Milton: Since 2010, the number of women on FTSE 350 boards has more than doubled and we now have the highest ever percentage of women on boards – over 24% in the FTSE 350. We also have only eight all-male boards remaining in the FTSE 350, and none in the FTSE 100. We are supporting the Hampton-Alexander Review to meet their target of women holding 33% of FTSE 100 senior leadership positions and 33% of FTSE 350 board positions. The Hampton-Alexander Review will report on 9 November regarding progress over the last 12 months of women on boards for FTSE 350 companies. We will continue to work with businesses to highlight the benefits they gain from a more diverse board membership.